Artist: Zhao Zhiqian (1829-1884)

Date: Qing (1644-1911)

Dimensions: Height 133.5 cm, Width 32.6 cm

Material: Ink and color on paper

• Object Type：
  • PAINTINGS
• Location：
  • The Painting and Calligraphy of Shanghai Gallery
• Tag：
  • chrysanthemum hanging scroll zhao zhiqian qing ink and color paper

Zhao Zhiqian (1829-1884), also known by his zi (designated name) Weishu and hao (literary name) Bei'an, was a native of Kuaiji (present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang povince). He once served as a county magistrate. A scholar of profound learning, he excelled in painting, calligraphy, and seal carving, pioneering a new style in the late Qing art world. He was one of the "Four Masters of the Shanghai School". This painting depicts autumn chrysanthemums, conveying the auspicious meaning of longevity. The dense leaves are rendered with outlining and washes, while the flowers are painted entirely in the mogu (boneless) method. It blends Yun Shouping's mogu technique with the slightly expressive style of the "Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou", exhibiting profound and rich brushwork that is elegantly archaic. This is characteristic of Zhao Zhiqian's style.

【Special Exhibition】 An Everlasting Spring: The Art of Painting and Calligraphy in Shanghai