Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ju Lian was a native of Guangzhou, Guangdong province. He and his brother Ju Chao (1811-1889) were both masters of painting in Guangdong during the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Ju Lian was the teacher of the “Three Masters of Lingnan School”, Gao Jianfu (1879-1951), Gao Qifeng (1889-1933) and Chen Shuren (1884-1948). His realistic and brightly coloured style can often be seen in their works.

However, this fan painting demonstrates simplicity and a traditional aspect of Ju Lian’s style. The small boats in the scene and the large sky left mostly blank with only a row of wild geese have brought a lonely sentiment, which was rarely seen in his lively bird and flower paintings. Like his brother Ju Chao, he has used a water-and-powder infusion method to bring out colours and shades.

The inscription reads ‘The river flows, while the cry of migrating geese announces the arrival of autumn.'