First Influence Art Treasury -- Pen Overcomes Heaven's Skill: Zhong Shenshou (Xugu)

Author: Editorial Board of "The Art Treasury of First Influence"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features:
Vugu (1823-1896), originally named Zhu Huairen, changed his name to "Vugu" after becoming a monk. He excelled in painting flowers, birds, figures, and landscapes, particularly flowers and birds, and was a renowned master of flowers and birds in the Qing Dynasty. His paintings are masterful in technique, with a cool and refined style, ethereal atmosphere, and a unique approach. Vugu left behind many masterpieces. For example, in "Plum Blossoms and Cranes," the brushwork is vigorous and dynamic, creating a noble and pure artistic conception. The plum blossoms and cranes in the painting are full of charm. In "Three Goldfish among Wisteria," the goldfish he depicted are highly individualized: square heads, square eyes, and square bodies, conveying the artist's rebellious spirit and an inner passion.
Vugu's flower-and-bird paintings possess a distinct personality—novel, cool, ethereal, and deformed, each with a unique charm. His flower-and-bird works differ from conventional pieces in brushwork, perspective, form, composition, and color. The cranes in his paintings often have crimson crowns and white feathers, striking yet harmonious, offering a luxurious yet elegant aesthetic. His goldfish are exaggerated and deformed, completely unconstrained by the true shapes of fish, creating a sense of novelty. In his later years, he painted squirrels, using dry brush and light ink to delicately outline their backs and tails, with accents of dark ink and light brown tones, bringing them to life with a fluffy texture. His style is both nimble and playful, with a touch of naivety.
This art album selects Vugu's masterpieces, each accompanied by information such as the title, artistic commentary, creation date, material, dimensions, artist, collector, and influence index, making it highly valuable. The album features a novel design and exquisite text. The introductory section, "Approaching Chinese Painting," provides readers with knowledge about Chinese painting in terms of techniques, appreciation, and collection, as well as guidance on using the book.