Ren Bonian (1840-95)
Figure in a boat under a wintry tree dated 1893
hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper, 114.3 x 48.2 Purchased 1988
395.1988
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The Shanghai school
The Shanghai school of painting that arose in the second half of the 19th century was influential in transmitting classical traditions to the modern era. The patrons of the individualist artists that congregated around the city of Shanghai were a new urban mercantile class. They sought paintings that were bold, striking, enjoyable and easy to comprehend. Paintings of flowers or boughs with blossoms or fruit, animals and figures were favoured over the dominant landscape tradition. Leaders of the Shanghai movement Ren Bonian and Wu Changshuo, both represented in the collection, are considered pioneers of China's modern art movement. Shanghai school painters imbued familiar subjects with a contemporary flavour of self expression and individualist brushwork. The Shanghai artists in turn influenced later 20th century artists across China, most notably the innovative Qi Baishi. As a founder of the Shanghai school Ren Bonian combines the restraint of the scholarly tradition with new freedom in imagination and brushwork. The artist began his career as an apprentice in a fan shop. He became known for his portraits and bird and flower subjects and his eloquent and sparse style. |
