Pu Ru (Chinese)

A landscape painting

Watercolor and ink on paper on a silk backing with a wooden dowel

With inscription, signature, and two seals to recto. Pu Ru (1896-1963) was one of the great grandsons of Emperor Daoguang. Since an early age, he studied scriptures, practiced calligraphy and painting, and imitated famous paintings in the collection of the imperial palace. His painting style integrates the strengths of both the Southern and Northern Sects. Pu Ru excels in landscape, character, flora, bird and animal paintings. He and Zhang Daqian were known as "Zhang South & Pu North".Pu Ru's landscape paintings integrate multiple techniques, combining realism and expressionism to produce intricate and graceful works of art. This painting depicts a reclusive life deep in the mountains- two people sit idly in the house, with the housekeeper standing at the door, waiting for the servant's return with his donkey from the wooden bridge. The painting is elegant and tranquil, and relaxing to look at.

For reference: Christie's, New York, March 2019, Lot 1197; Christie's, Hong Kong, November 2014, Lot 1564.

H: 21 1/2, W: 9 in. (painting)

H: 54.61, W: 22.86 cm. (painting)

Provenance: Collection of Dr. Schmitt. Dr. Schmitt is a professor emeritus of archeology from University of Minnesota. He was a consultant for several museums in the Midwest US.

Condition: Overall good condition with minor staining.

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溥儒 山水亭臺立軸

題識：伯康先生正之 雲岫隱居圖 心畬鈐印：溥（朱）；溥儒之印（白）溥心畬（1896-1963）名儒，字心畬，號西逸士，又號羲皇上人，清朝道光皇帝第六子恭親王奕訢之孫。幼即讀經史，習書畫，得覽摹宮內所藏曆代名作。其作山水由四王入門，而上探南宋馬、夏之室，融南北宗之長，與張大千並稱爲“南張北溥”，擅長山水、人物、花鳥、走獸及書法。溥心畬先生作品最有特色的山水是介乎青綠、淺絳和界畫之間的作品，或工或寫，勾勒見長，精細絕倫，雍容華貴，而又淡泊優雅。此幅作品所描繪的是深山隱居生活，屋中兩人閒暇對坐，管家立在門口，等候家僕拉着驢從木橋上歸來。整幅作品青山雅居，意境淡泊，閒適之氣撲面而來。

參閱佳士得拍賣2019年03月紐約拍賣，編號1197；佳士得拍賣2014年11月香港拍賣，編號1564。