Ink and watercolor on paper, framed. Featuring plum blossom branch on rockwork. Signed and attr. Lu Yanshao (Chinese, 1909-1993) and inscribed with one artist seal. 52 x 42 cm. Lu Yanshao was a Chinese landscape painter known for his use of bold brushstrokes. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Lu applied dark ink directly on the paper, without creating outlines. Born on June 26, 1909 in Shanghai, China, he studied traditional painting under Wu Hufan, and attended the Wuxi Art Academy. Early on in his career, Lu made copies directly from Ming-era paintings, and familiarized himself with the techniques of seal carving and stone rubbing. When the Japanese invaded China in the 1930s, Lu fled to a remote region in the mountains where he continued to hone his style. His first solo show in 1938 was praised for the work’s elegant sense of composition. During the Cultural Revolution, Lu’s artistic freedoms were severely limited, though he was able to make painting expeditions to different parts of China. By the 1980s, the artist had embarked on the vigorous works for which he is remembered. Lu died in 1993 in Shanghai, China. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in British Columbia.

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.