Lot 1254: CHEN RUOMU (1838-1896)

CHEN RUOMU (1838-1896)
Wu Gang Prunes the Trees on the Moon
Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper
51¾ x 26 in. (131.4 x 66 cm.)
Entitled and signed by the artist, with 1 seal
Dated an autumn day in guisi year (1893)

Wu Gang was tasked with chopping down the trees on the moon, which continuously regrew. This tale of folklore and Daoism is especially popular during the Moon Festival in autumn.

Chen Ruomu, who was known in his youth as Chen Zongguang, was a versatile painter in Yangzhou who taught Huang Binhong (1864-1955) and was praised by Wu Changshuo (1844-1927).