Ling Shuhua (born 1959) was born in Beijing to a literati and court official family. She had the chance to study painting under many renowned artists including court painters such as Miao Jiahui (1841-c.1918) and Wang Zhulin (early 20th century). Ling was already an essayist and painter during the 1920s. In 1947 Ling and her husband, the diplomat Chen Yuan (1896-1970), left China and settled in London. From 1956 to 1960, she taught Chinese literature at Nanyang University in Singapore. At that time, Michael Sullivan (1916-2013) was also working in Singapore, lecturing in art history at the University of Malaya (now University of Singapore). This work was painted by Ling Shuhua in Singapore and given to Khoan (1919-2003) and Michael in 1959. The inscription reads ‘Illustrating the ci poetry in the tune of Shengshengman by Yi’An Jushi… For Michael and Khoan to correct.’
Sullivan, Michael, Modern Chinese Art: The Khoan and Michael Sullivan Collection, revised edn (Oxford: Ashmolean Museum, 2009), no.71 on p. 103, illus. p. 103 fig. II. 71
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