Pu Ru Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Born in 1896 into the fading embers of imperial China, Pu Ru was steeped in the arts and letters from a young age. His royal upbringing within the Forbidden City provided him access to a rich trove of classical Chinese literature and art, fostering an early and intimate relationship with the traditional Chinese painting. With the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Pu Ru's life mirrored the tumultuous shifts in China's socio-political landscape, yet he remained steadfast in his dedication to the scholarly pursuits of painting, calligraphy, and poetry.

Pu Ru's education was as illustrious as his background. He studied under several masters, immersing himself in the quintessence of Chinese culture and refining his brushwork with a meticulous diligence that would later define his oeuvre. His training under the renowned painter Chen Shizeng further honed his skills, enabling him to deftly navigate between the meticulous Gongbi technique and the freer, expressive strokes of Xieyi painting.

Throughout his career, Pu Ru's artistic development was marked by a reverent adherence to tradition, yet his brushwork exuded a distinct personal style. He was adept at landscapes, imbuing them with a serene, scholarly air that spoke of his deep contemplation and intellectualism. His calligraphy, too, was celebrated, often complementing his paintings with poetic inscriptions that added layers of meaning and reflection.

Pu Ru's contributions to the art world were manifold. Despite the upheavals of the time—including his relocation to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War—he continued to paint, teach, and exhibit, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of Chinese art. His works were shown in major exhibitions, both domestically and internationally, allowing his traditional yet innovative style to gain recognition and respect.

The legacy of Pu Ru is enshrined not only in his paintings but also in his impact on the generations of artists who have followed. As a bridge between the ancient and the modern, his works continue to resonate with those who seek to understand the enduring essence of Chinese culture. Pu Ru's artistic journey, steeped in the scholarly tradition, remains a testament to the enduring power of art to capture the spirit of its time while transcending the ages.

Pu Ru, also known as Pu Xinyu, was a remarkable figure in 20th-century Chinese art, being a direct descendant of the Qing Dynasty imperial family. Born in 1896 into the noble Aisin Gioro clan, he was a cousin to the last Emperor, Puyi. Despite the political upheavals that transformed China in his lifetime, Pu Ru managed to maintain a prolific output as a traditionalist painter, calligrapher, and poet, creating works that evoked the elegance and erudition of China's scholarly past.
Pu Ru's life and work offer a fascinating bridge between the ancient imperial tradition and modern China. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, he embraced a scholarly life, steeped in the Four Arts of the Chinese scholar: qin (music), qi (strategy games like chess), shu (calligraphy), and hua (painting). His art is a testament to the endurance of these traditional forms, even as the world around him underwent seismic shifts from imperial rule to republic and then communist state.
Beyond his noble lineage, Pu Ru was renowned for his artistic virtuosity, particularly in the literati style of painting. His works often combined poetry and painting, with calligraphic inscriptions complementing tranquil landscapes and delicate botanicals. This integration of literary and visual arts was characteristic of scholarly aesthetic ideals, and Pu Ru's refined brushwork and poetic sensibilities garnered him great respect among contemporaries and modern connoisseurs alike.