Artist

Ju Lian

Ju Lian (1828-1904), also known as "The Old Man of Diashan," was a famous Chinese painter of the Qing Dynasty. He produced beautiful paintings of plants and animals, displaying a keen observation of nature.

Ju Lien Biography

• Born on October 30, 1828 in Panyu, Guangdong Province, China (now Guangzhou City).
• Active from the mid to late Qing Dynasty
• He works in a wide range of genres, including bird and flower paintings, portraits, botanical paintings, and insect paintings.
• Known as the founder of the Lingnan school of painting
• Died in 1904 (aged 76)

Representative works

• Insects and Flowers (1865)
• "Bird and Hibiscus"
• "White Peony"
• "Pomegranate and Day Lily"

Ju Lian's style and achievements

Ju Lian's works are characterized by realistic depictions, vivid colors, and delicate brushwork. He carefully observed flowers, birds, people, insects, and other subjects down to the smallest detail, and expressed their beauty and vitality. Bird-and-flower paintings in particular are his signature genre, and his works incorporate realistic expressions influenced by Western painting while inheriting the traditions of Chinese painting .

As the founder of the Lingnan school of painting, Ju Lian made a major contribution to the development of Chinese painting. His works, born from his deep love for the beauty of nature, his keen observational skills, and his outstanding technique, continue to inspire us even today.