He Zhen

CHINA, Jiangxi, Shangrao; Ming dynasty

Also known as Zhuchen or Changqing, He Zhen was a seal engraver originally from Wuyuan county in Shangrao, but lived most of his life in Jinling (present day Nanjing). He diligently studied calligraphy and was particularly assiduous in developing his skills as a seal engraver. After learning under Wen Peng, the two became reputed as Wen He. Together, they made improvements to the stone engraving techniques of their time.
He’s seals are simple and fresh, carved with great skill and a vigorous, unique style. Producing seals of both white and red character prints, he consistently upheld the legacies of the Qin (221–207 BCE) and Han (206 BCE–220 CE) dynasties. He was later regarded as one of the founders of the Anhui school of seal engraving.
His artworks include I Have Attained Non-Confronting Samadhi and a white-character square seal which is now kept at the Shanghai Museum. His seal engraving artworks are later compiled into the Collection of Seals by Xueyu by later generation.