Tingting Han Ke: The Life of Yu Shaosong, Series of Biographies of Famous Figures in Zhejiang Culture

Author: Yu Zian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Yu Shaosong (1882-1940) was a modern painter and connoisseur of calligraphy and painting, styled Yueyuan, with the alias Hanke. He was from Longyou, Zhejiang. From 1934 to 1936, he edited the monthly supplement "Jinshi Shuhua" for Hangzhou's Southeast Daily, totaling 72 issues. In his later years, he built a residence in Hangzhou. The art of painting and calligraphy was passed down through seven generations in his family. He excelled in painting wood, stone, pine, and bamboo, occasionally creating landscapes. He preferred using dark ink, with a rigorous brushwork that conveyed a sense of elegance. Connoisseurs described his work as "chaotic yet orderly," with a rich artistic aura. In calligraphy, he followed the style of Zhangcao, and he claimed his own calligraphy as his primary skill, followed by bamboo. He was also skilled in poetry, connoisseurship, and had an extensive collection. His surviving works include "Layered Mountains and Overlapping Peaks," recorded in Contemporary Famous Painters' Ocean; "Bamboo Painting for Su Changren," recorded in 1947 China Art Annual. He authored Illustrated Compendium of Painting and Calligraphy Catalogs, Essentials of Painting Techniques, and Hanke Hall Collection. This book introduces his life.