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Jin Nong (金農, 金农, 1687-1764) was a famous painter and
calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty. He courtesy names include Shoumen
(壽門), Sinong (司農) and Jijin (吉金). He has quite a number of pseudonyms
including Dongxin (冬心) and Jiliu Shanmin (稽留山民).
Born in 1687 in Hangzhou, Jin Nong became popular as a painter and
calligrapher while living as a childless widower in Yangzhou in his
sixties. His paintings of mei blossoms (梅花, Chinese plum, or Japanese
apricot) were in particular demand there. Heralded as one of "The Eight
Eccentrics of Yangzhou (揚州八怪)", Jin prescribed to the amateur scholar
style. A nonconformist, he generally painted more traditional images
laden with symbolism (such as orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and of
course, mei blossoms) and preserved his independence by selling works
in an open market, rather than adopting an individual patron. His later
works included Buddhist imagery. However, Jin was the first artist in
the Chinese tradition to paint a large number of self-portraits and did
earn money through the patronage of wealthy individuals in Yangzhou
who, in addition to buying works, were possible publishers for his
numerous writings. Jin probably understood these contradictions as he
argued that living off of painting should not be considered
dishonorable.
Jin Nong also made
money as a writer and general entrepreneur. He was known to travel with
a number of disciple-servants who assisted in the production of ink
stones and lanterns to which he would add a personal artistic touch. It
was through the sale of these items that Jin achieved financial
independence; his single, failed attempt to compete for office was in
the year 1736. He became widely known for his writings, but when his
health began to deteriorate, painting became his principal source of
income and he in fact acknowledged the use of ghost-painters as a way
to increase production. One such understudy, Luo Pin (羅聘), also
edited some compilations of his works. He continued to write throughout
this time and was a critic as well as a dealer of paintings.
Jin Nong also had a reputation as a calligrapher creating a style he called "lacquer calligraphy (漆書)."
Masterpieces by Jin Nong (view the entire calligraphy gallery)