Lot Essay
Yun Shouping, a native of Wujin, Jiangsu and originally named Yun Ge, was the son of a staunch supporter of the Ming dynasty. His father's opposition to the Manchu forces led to the death of Yun Shouping's eldest brother and his own incarceration. Eventually, his talents and intelligence led to his adoption by a prominent Manchu general, Chen Jin (died 1652). He returned to his only family only after the death of the general.
Yun Shouping received his earliest artistic training from his uncle, Yun Benchu (1586-1655). Although painting formed his livlihood, because he was reluctant to pursue commissions and patronage, his means were modest. While he frequently painted landscapes in a style similar to that of his close friend Wang Hui (1632-1717), he was best known for his bird and flower compositions. His most successful works used pale pastels for the boneless (xugu) brushwork, which greatly inspired such later artists as Hua Yan (1682-1756).
Yun Shouping received his earliest artistic training from his uncle, Yun Benchu (1586-1655). Although painting formed his livlihood, because he was reluctant to pursue commissions and patronage, his means were modest. While he frequently painted landscapes in a style similar to that of his close friend Wang Hui (1632-1717), he was best known for his bird and flower compositions. His most successful works used pale pastels for the boneless (xugu) brushwork, which greatly inspired such later artists as Hua Yan (1682-1756).