Two landscape paintings Mounted, framed and glazed, ink and colour on paper, inscribed by the artist, with two artist's seals. Each painting, 25cm (9 7/8in) high x 15cm (5 7/8in) wide; framed, 43.1cm (17in) high x 33cm (13in) wide. (2).
The inscription may be translated to: 'A light boat drifts freely, its oars gliding without end. Gazing at the clouds, I feel humbled by the soaring birds; Looking into the water, I am ashamed before the swimming fish. Inspired by the poetic sentiment of Tao Yuanming. Xinyu.'
Pu Xinyu (溥心畬, 1896–1963), also known as Pu Ru, was a Chinese painter, calligrapher, and poet, renowned for his mastery of traditional literati painting. Born into the Manchu Imperial family of the Qing dynasty, he was a cousin of the last emperor, Puyi. His aristocratic heritage afforded him a classical education steeped in Confucianism, poetry, and the arts, shaping his elegant and refined artistic style. Following the fall of the Qing dynasty, Pu Xinyu devoted himself to painting and calligraphy, becoming one of the most celebrated artists of his time. His works, often executed in the scholarly tradition, feature landscapes, birds, and figures imbued with poetic sentiment. He was particularly influenced by the Four Masters of the Ming dynasty and the literati aesthetics of earlier dynasties. In 1949, with the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Pu Xinyu relocated to Taiwan, where he continued to paint and teach. His artistic style remained deeply rooted in traditional Chinese aesthetics, emphasising expressive brushwork and a scholarly, contemplative approach. He left behind a significant legacy in the field of Chinese painting, with his works collected by major institutions and connoisseurs worldwide.
Compare with a related landscape painting by Pu Ru, inscribed and signed Xinyu, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 29 November 2024, lot 663.
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