SIGNED JIN NONG AND DATED JIAXU CYCLICAL YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1754 AND OF THE PERIOD

Jin Nong (1687-1763), with courtesy name of Shou Men, was a well-known painter active in Yangzhou area during the 18th century, and was coined as one of the 'Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou'. His non-orthodox painting style with unusual themes deviated from the literati tradition of muted landscapes and Buddhist imageries. Despire being an extremely learned scholar who had mastered both calligraphy and painting, Jin Nong never succeeded in attaining an official post through the civil service examination, and instead had had to make a living by selling his paintings in Yangzhou.