Shi Lu

We authenticate, certify, issue certificates of authenticity (COA), appraise the value and broker the sale of paintings and drawings by SHI Lu.

Chinese

Born: 1919, Yiyang, Hunan Province, China.

Died: 1982, Beijing, China, aged 63.

Shi Lu spent most of his life in China, particularly in Beijing, where he became a leading figure in the development of modern Chinese ink painting. He was also briefly based in Shanghai during his early career.

Typical Subject Matter:

Shi Lu primarily painted landscapes and figure scenes, as well as portraits, often imbued with historical and cultural significance. His work was deeply rooted in traditional Chinese painting, and he frequently depicted scenes from Chinese history, literature, and classical mythology. His landscapes often included mountains, rivers, trees, and mist, capturing both the grandeur of nature and the intimacy of rural life.

He was also known for his figure paintings—portraits and traditional scenes—often featuring historical or mythological figures. These works explored cultural narratives and aimed to express the essence of Chinese identity through symbolic representation.

Typical Style:

Shi Lu is renowned for his integration of traditional Chinese ink painting with modernist approaches. A leading figure in the New Ink Painting Movement, he modernized traditional techniques with bold, expressive brushwork and simplified compositions.

His works are marked by dynamic strokes, expressive ink splashes, and a strong emphasis on line and texture. His landscape paintings often convey a sense of movement and drama, with contrasting areas of dark and light, soft washes, and dense ink passages. His figure paintings blend traditional Chinese stylization with Western realism in the use of proportion and space.

Shi Lu’s paintings are also distinguished by their calligraphic quality—using bold, flowing lines—and his masterful use of negative space. He frequently employed xieyi (freehand style) and watercolour washes to achieve layered, atmospheric effects.

Typical Material and Media:

Shi Lu primarily worked with ink and watercolour on paper, and occasionally on silk for more delicate and refined works. His paintings often incorporated calligraphy, reinforcing their poetic and expressive nature.

If you own a painting or a drawing by or attributed to Shi Lu, we would like to learn about it. Please send us photos or contact us at [email protected]. You will generally receive a response within 24 hours.