With the
Gao brothers one of the "Three Masters of the Lingnan School", Chen
Shuren (1884?948), original name Shao, literary name De'an Laoren or
Ershan Shanqiao, was also a native of Panyu in Guangdong province who
learned painting under Ju Lian (1828?904) in his early years and later
pursued his studies in Japan . The banana tree has always been a perfect
subject for expressing the subtlety of ink and brushwork, but this
hanging scroll by Chen differs from more traditional paintings thanks to
its spontaneous use of charming colours and the application of a Western
perspective. Although working with a simplified form, Chen is still able
to capture the essence of the tree, as he contrasts a small bird resting
on a branch with the large banana tree and its central setting in the
composition. Chen's simple and spontaneous personal style makes him the
most lyrical literati artist of the "Three Masters of the Lingnan
School".