Lingnan Origins

Some while back, I did a presentation at Knuston Hall about the origins of the Lingnan school of painting. I was asked recently about the artists so I thought I should post up some of the names with some of their paintings so that, should you be inspired, you can carry out further research on these artists yourself.

First of all, Lingnan literally means ‘South of the Nanling Mountains’. The Lingnan region covers the modern provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan as modern Northern Vietnam.

We start with Yun Shouping 1633 – 1690, often known as the Grandfather of Lingnan.

Next we have the ‘Two Ju’s’, starting with Ju Chao 1811 – 1865

Together with Ju Lian 1828 – 1904, his cousin, they are renowned as forerunners of the Lingnan School of painting.

The main founder of the Lingnan School is Gao Jianfu 1879 – 1951.

Along with Gao Jianfu is Gao Qifeng 1889 – 1933

Finally, completing the ‘Three Masters of Lingnan’ is Chen Shuren 1884 – 1948, literally making up the ‘Two Gao’s and one Chen’.

There are, obviously, a large Canon of Lingnan painters but I hope you enjoy exploring the founders of this School.

Please feel free to Comment back below.

Happy painting

Paul