Relic ID: 221164916

Relic Name: Zhang Yu "Lily flower" scroll

Relic Age: Qing Dynasty

Relic Specification: Longitudinal 169 cm; horizontal 49.5 cm

Relic Category: Ancient painting and calligraphy

Zhang Yu (1734--1803), styles himself as Huren, with other courtesy names as Chaiyuan, Zhiyuan; he also has the name of Xuehong, Muzhe and Zhizhi Taoist. His origin is from Tongcheng of Anhui province, and then he moved to Jiangning of Jiangsu (now Nanjing).

In the 27th year of Qing Emperor Qianlong (1762), he was the second degree candidate in the former provincial examination, and was the magistrate of Fang county of Hubei province. He is good at calligraphy, poetry, and painting. No matter if it is landscape, flowers or birds, he can paint freely and easily. With an unrestrained way of painting, his works have extreme charm and beauty, and portrays subjects with particular vividness.

He behaves in an utmost natural way, and is unstrained; he paints when it hits his mind. He does not often have a seal with him, and usually picks up the writing brush as a seal when he finishes painting. His works are cherished through time. The most famous works are "Flowers", "Mexican banana picture". The three brothers including Zhang Yu were called "The great three".