Zhong Kui Adds Fortune
Artists: Feng Runzhi, Rong Zuchun |
Inscription by Cheng Jingxuan, Yi Dachang
Medium: Color on paper, Hanging scroll
Dimensions: 107cm × 46cmm
Zhong Kui Adds Fortune
Inscription: Commissioned by the esteemed head of the Buddhist Zen society, now duly completed. On the day of the Double Sixth Festival in the Gengshen year, the image of Zhong Kui was painted by Feng Runzhi, with added blessings inscribed by Rong Zhongsheng, and the verse penned by the younger brother, Cheng Jingxuan.
Seal: Zhuyun, Runzhi, Zhongsheng
Inscription: Yearly comes the Dragon Boat Festival day, Yet this year, your cheeks lack the wine's red play. Recalling times when all found joy in Qingming's light, With you, I'd share blessings, doubling the delight.
Seal: Yiru
Feng Runzhi (1852—1937)
Courtesy name Ganlu, also named Lishi, later known as the Old Man of Yu Mountain, a native of Panyu, Guangdong. A renowned figure painter and illustrator in Guangdong during the late Qing period. He was particularly fond of imitating Song and Yuan dynasty paintings, and his depictions of figures were considered exceptional.
Rong Zuchun (1872—1944)
Courtesy name Zhongsheng, styled as Zi'an, and later known as Garden Elder. From Guancheng, Dongguan, he began studying painting with Ju Lian at the age of twelve, excelling in landscapes, figures, flowers, birds, insects, and fish. He gained fame at the age of thirty and joined the Qingyou Society, founded by Chen Shuren and others, in the 1920s. He traveled with Wu Deyi, viewed many paintings, and became skilled in appraisal.
Cheng Jingxuan (1864—1934)
Courtesy name Zhuyun, styled as Elder of Longhu, also known as the master of Zhuanxiang Studio, a native of Foshan, Guangdong. A modern painter and seal carver who excelled in painting landscapes, flowers, birds, insects, and fish, his style was elegant and refined. Skilled in seal script and clerical script, he also used the iron brush. He studied painting with Wang Shigu and Jiang Tingxi. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to art education and creation, establishing the Shangmei Studio in his residence in Xiguan, Guangzhou, where he sold paintings and taught students for over a decade, attracting many learners.
Dimensions: 82.5cm × 29cm
Three Indifferents
Inscription: The virtuous by daylight are called humans; the dark and deviant are dubbed ghosts. Not all ghosts bear bovine heads or equine faces, dwelling in twisted death cities, nor are they minions of the Rakshasa realms. Why? Those with the heads of bulls and faces of horses who reside in crooked cities under Rakshasa rule could be easily quelled by Master Zhang or managed by Scholar Zhong. How then could ghosts be likened to humans? But it's not entirely so today. Some appear human but bear the essence of ghosts; some bear human names but act as ghosts. Neither Master Zhang, Scholar Zhong, nor Judge Cui can do anything about them. Hence, ghosts now deceive using human names and surnames; they confound with their spectral speech. Faced with trivial challenges, they plot with ghostly cunning; confronted with minor risks, they dodge with ghostly wit. If they ardently desire something, they wail incessantly like ghosts; if by chance they lose what they seek, they bicker endlessly like ghosts. Those who gloat over minor victories are the frivolous ghosts; those who flatter and cling to power are the sky-clutching ghosts; those who chase rumors are the daylight ghosts; those who stumble in haste are the bumbling ghosts. As for the so-called empty ghosts, leaping ghosts, drunk ghosts, lecherous ghosts, sick ghosts, impoverished ghosts, ugly ghosts, and starving ghosts, these need no further mention. Alas, humans have turned into ghosts. Why bother with those bearing bovine heads and equine faces, residing in crooked death cities, under the rule of Rakshasa? In such times, even the Ghost Gate would fail to contain them, even ghostly talismans would fail to control them. No wonder Master Zhang cries out to the heavens, Scholar Zhong spreads his hands in bewilderment, and Judge Cui lies down to rest. The "Three Indifferents" created by Chen Yujui, with this text inscribed atop by Liu Yi, who knows not the author's name. Could it be that he penned it himself and ascribed it to another for satire? In the ninth month of the Wuchen year, my dear brother Zhuoyun, came to carefully examine this work, prompting me to add this commentary here. Pan He of Nanhai. Seal: Pan Ya, Baocan, and He
Pan He (1873—1929)
Courtesy name Zhizhong, styled as Baocan, a native of Nanhai. A well-read individual with a home library known as the Wanjuan Tower. Along with Li Fengting and others, he transformed the Guihai Cooperative Painting Society into the National Painting Research Association. An expert in the appraisal of cultural relics, he was skilled in calligraphy and painting, as well as poetry and prose, and was adept in seal carving.
Artist: Pan He
Medium: Color on paper, Hanging scroll
