Chen Shu huahui [Album of flower paintings]

Scope and Content

An album of 10 paintings of flowers by Chen Shu presented by Emperor Puyi (1906-67), the last Emperor of China, to his tutor Sir Reginald Johnston (1874-1938), who was also the first Professor of Chinese at the School of Oriental Studies. The album bears an inscription by the Emperor in his own hand to Johnston on the verso of the front cover and his own seal on the peony painting. The manuscript, in concertina style, is between two wooden frames.

Administrative / Biographical History

The artist, Chen Shu (1612-82), was a literati painter (literati painting combines painting, poetry, and calligraphy and aims to reach an intellectual audience) from Jiangsu province near Shanghai who settled in Nanjing in his later years. She produced paintings depicting mainly birds flowers and insects, but occasionally produced landscape paintings in ink.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

R. F. Johnston bequest

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

H25.5 x W36.0cm

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance

Geographical Names