Wang Zhen was a celebrated modern Chinese artist of the Shanghai School

Shanghai School

The Shanghai School is a style of Chinese art present in the late 19th century and centered in Shanghai. Late 19th century China, or the last years of the Qing dynasty formed a tumultuous time in China's history...

. His dates are sometimes given as 1877-1930, but are corrected as (1867–1938) in the Encyclopedia of Chinese Artists (Zhongguo meishu jia renming cidian) on p. 131. Wang Zhen was also variously known as Bailong shanren and as a devote Buddhist under other names. He was originally from Wuxing

Wuxing

Wuxing may refer to:*Wu Xing , concept in Chinese philosophy*Wuxing , a Chinese "Warring States" text*Flag of the People's Republic of China, also known as the "Five-starred red flag"...

 in Zhejiang Province, although spent most of his life in in the city of Shanghai where he was a successful businessman-banker. Wang Zhen was a master calligrapher as well as a painter of flowers, birds, personages and Buddhist subjects. He was closely associated with and considered the disciple of the painter Wu Changshuo

Wu Changshuo

Wú Chāngshuò is the name for which Wu Junqing is best known. He was born in Zhejiang from a scholarly family and for a time toward the end of the Qing he served as an official in Liaoning. He settled in Suzhou in his twenties.Initially, he devoted himself to poetry and calligraphy with a strong...

. It is sometimes said that many of his teacher's paintings were from Wang Zhen himself. Wang Zhen's paintings enjoy a considerable popularity in Japan where he had made many trips in his business and artistic career. He is known there as O Itei from his variant Chinese name of Wang Yiting (Wang I-t'ing). This Japan connection he shared with his mentor Wu Changshuo

Wu Changshuo

Wú Chāngshuò is the name for which Wu Junqing is best known. He was born in Zhejiang from a scholarly family and for a time toward the end of the Qing he served as an official in Liaoning. He settled in Suzhou in his twenties.Initially, he devoted himself to poetry and calligraphy with a strong...

. Photos can be seen of the pair with the Japanese artist Tessai. Other Japan influences existed as well. The Japan affiliations of Wang Zhen have led to his undeserved lack of esteem among his countrymen. However Wang Zhen was an artist of the first rank and his lack of Chinese prestige will certainly in the future be rectified.

External links

• Wang Zhen and his Painting Gallery at China Online Museum