Lot Essay
Jin Nong was born in 1687 and was a native of Huangzhou, in Zhejiang Province. His zi was Shoumen and his hao was Dongxin Xianshen. Jin Nong took up residence in Yangzhou and was known as a learned scholar, writer, calligrapher and connoisseur. He began painting after the age of fifty in a highly individualistic manner, and he became part of the most talented group that came later to be known as the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. He acquired a wide range of subject matter, such as landscapes, figures, portraits, flowers and bamboo. The hallmark of Jin Nong's art, though, was his heavy square calligraphy, reminiscent of Han stone inscriptions, and forming a wonderful contrast when executed in combination with his lightly painted plum blossoms.