Chen Banding

CHINA, Zhejiang, Shaoxing

Originally named Chen Nian and also known as Jingshan, Chen Banding was an artist from Shanyin (present day Shaoxing, Zhejiang). He was skilled in painting, seal engraving, calligraphy, and literature. At the age of 20, he went to Shanghai and studied under Wu Changshuo. Later, he moved to Beijing and associated himself with several renowned artists such as Jin Cheng, Qi Baishi, and Pu Ru. Chen served as vice chairman of the Chinese Painting Research Association, as well as a professor of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts. His publications include Collection of Paintings by Chen Banding and Collection of Floral Paintings by Chen Banding.

Chen specialized in floral, landscape, and figure painting. His Buddhist artworks include an enormous painting of Bodhidharma dated to 1955. His floral painting style adopted the strengths of various artists from earlier dynasties, and he eventually established his own style that was highly regarded. His landscapes emulated the style of monk Shitao, resulting in magnificent images that featured a strong flow of ink.
Several of Chan’s paintings are now kept at the National Museum of China in Beijing, two of which are Boating on a River and Wild Chrysanthemum. The Zhenjiang Museum in Jiangsu retains his painting of Pine Tree on Serene Rocks. Of his many seal works, Truth and Not False is a white-character square seal that exhibits a free-hand and natural style.