Hongwu

Hong Wu, courtesy name Zhuoting, sobriquet Shuzhai, also known as Zuizuizui, with a secondary name Yao Huadaren, and another alias Yiru Jushi, was a member of the Aisin Gioro clan. He was the second son of Yunzi, the twenty-fourth son of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. His biological mother was Yin, Empress Consort of Yunzi, daughter of Yin Dacheng. He was born in the eighth year of Qianlong's reign, on the thirtieth day of the ninth month (by the lunar calendar), during the hour of yin (around 3 to 5 a.m.).

From a young age, influenced by family teachings, he specialized mainly in landscape, floral and plant paintings, and also studied calligraphy in the four scripts. His official positions over the years included: in the 28th year of Qianlong (1763), awarded the second-grade Duke of Zhen Guo; in the 39th year of Qianlong (1774), promoted to Beizi (a noble rank); in the 43rd year of Qianlong (1778), withdrew from official duties due to personal affairs; in the 59th year of Qianlong (1794), awarded the title of Feng'en Jiangjun (a military honor); in the 4th year of Jiaqing (1799), retired again, and in the 14th year of Jiaqing (1809), was restored to Feng'en Jiangjun.

According to the "Shiqu Baoji," an imperial catalog of artworks, Hong Wu produced over thirty paintings, many of which are also held in the imperial collection, reflecting his work’s prominence at court. His poem accompanying the "Self-Inscribed Landscape Album" displays a sense of clarity and purity in rhythm. Hong Wu excelled in both painting and calligraphy, practicing all four scripts. His landscape paintings are said to embody the subtlety of Dong Bangda, while his floral and plant styles are simple and fragrant, and his stone seal carving style shows influences from Yuan and Ming dynasty seals.

His notable works include "Listening to the Spring," "Monk's Residence at Banqiao," "Mountains in Rippling Green," "Imitating Tang Yin's Landscape," and "Susa Pine Song." In 1792 (the 57th year of Qianlong), he traveled with Ruan Yuan, Tiebow, and others to Wanshou Temple, creating artworks such as "Seven Pine Trees Fan." His family possessed a rich collection of books, stored in a library called "Jingjixuan." Hong Wu died in 1811 (the 16th year of Jiaqing), at the age of 68. He had seven sons, with his fifth son, Yong Song, inheriting the title of Feng'en Jiangjun.