Chen Yuzhong

CHINA, Zhejiang, Hangzhou; Qing dynasty

Chen Yuzhong, also known as Junyi or Qiutang, was a seal engraver and calligrapher from Qiantang (present day Hangzhou, Zhejiang). His engravings were refined and elegant, with attractive side notations. He first learned seal engraving from Wen Peng and He Zhen, and later from Ding Jing. Alongside Chen Hongshou, he is reputed as one of the Two Chens of Qiantang.
Chen specialized in the small seal script which was used throughout the pre-Han periods. He was also particularly skilled in seal replications. He is regarded as one of the Zhejiang school’s Eight Masters of Xiling. Chen was also adept in calligraphy and often attempted to write using seal engraving forms. His calligraphic works were elegant, smooth, and powerful in style.
He authored Anthology of Truth-Seeking House and Seal Collection of Truth-Seeking House, and his seal engraving works were collected in the text, Seal Collections of Eight Masters of Xiling. His Buddhist works included a square seal of I Have Attained Non-Confronting Samadhi.