Luo Shuzhong

CHINA, Guangdong, Foshan

Luo Shuzhong was a seal engraver, calligrapher, and painter who had the original name of Ying, and was also known as Kefang. Born in Nanhai district of Foshan, his family served as officials of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) for several generations. Luo himself was adept in composing poems and painting since a young age. He began studying painting under Cheng Zhuyun, but later focused on calligraphy and seal engraving. In 1923 he moved to Hong Kong, where he imparted a tremendous impact on the artistic community.
Luo’s calligraphy was proficient in both clerical and running scripts, and he learned regular script style by studying the steles of the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). He studied seal engraving under Ye Tuian, and later he learned from Huang Shiling. His seal script exhibited elements of the graceful scripts seen throughout the Six Dynasties (220–589). Adept in carving from olive pits and walnuts, Luo’s seal style was simple and elegant. He became a devout Buddhist in his old age, and created the red-character rectangular seal of Amitabha Buddha.
Throughout his career, Luo created over 300 works, the majority of which were donated to the Macao Museum of Art. Among these works are the horizontal inscribed board of Alaya Room and Five-Character Couplet in clerical script, both of which are included in the Collection of Luo Shuzhong’s Calligraphy and Seals. Other publications include Centennial Recollection of Luo Shuzhong, Collection of Luo Shuzhong’s Calligraphy and Paintings, and Essence of Seal Engraving.