Wu Changshuo (吴昌硕, 1844–1927) was a renowned Chinese artist of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic period, celebrated for his mastery in painting, calligraphy, and seal carving. Here’s a detailed overview of his life and contributions:
*Key Aspects of Wu Changshuo's Life and Career* 1. *Early Life and Background* - Born on September 12, 1844, in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, into a scholarly family . - His original name was Wu Junqing (吴俊卿), with "Changshuo" as his courtesy name. He also used pseudonyms like Foulu, Kutie, and Dalong .
2. *Artistic Journey* - Began studying poetry and seal carving by age 10, later mastering calligraphy in Tang dynasty kaishu (regular script) and Han dynasty clerical script . - Started painting at age 30, encouraged by Ren Bonian (任伯年), a leading figure of the Shanghai School. Wu integrated his calligraphic techniques into painting, creating bold, expressive strokes . - Developed the "Wu style," blending epigraphic (ancient inscription) aesthetics with vibrant colors, particularly in bird-and-flower paintings .
3. *Contributions to the Shanghai School* - A central figure in the Shanghai School, Wu revitalized traditional literati painting by emphasizing individuality and combining calligraphy, poetry, and seal carving . - His works, like Spring Offerings (1919) and The Two Purities (1922), feature symbolic motifs (e.g., peaches for longevity, pine and plum for resilience) rendered with dynamic brushwork .
4. *Leadership and Legacy* - Led the Xiling Seal Art Society (西泠印社) in Hangzhou, promoting seal carving as an art form . - Gained international acclaim, especially in Japan, where his works were widely collected and exhibited . - Died in Shanghai on November 6, 1927 (or November 29, per some sources) .
*Artistic Style and Themes* - *Technique: Used "antiquarian epigrapher's taste" (inspired by Zhao Zhiqian) to create slightly awkward yet powerful compositions, as seen in *Spring Offerings . - *Subjects: Favored flowers, birds, and rocks, often imbued with symbolic meanings (e.g., *Peach Fruit of Three Thousand Years symbolizes longevity) . - *Integration of Arts*: Viewed seal carving, calligraphy, and painting as interconnected, with inscriptions often accompanying his artworks .
For further exploration, his works are held in major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Art Museum of China .