Chinese bamboo painting for collection
In memory of my teacher's teacher Pu Xinyu 溥心畬
- A cousin of the Last Emperor of China, Puyi (Pu Yi)
- PhD in Biology and Astronomy from Berlin University
- Hailed as "The Number One Landscape Painter of the Northern School", "The Last Literati Painter of China", etc.
- Lived an unhappy life with deteriorating health due to family scandals in Taipei
- His peer Zhang Daqian exceeded Picasso and Van Gogh in auctions in 2011.
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All pieces listed here are backed (mounted, glued) with another sheet
Framing recommended - when the pictures are stretched, glued, or taped from the four corners, they will be nearly 100% wrinkle-free.
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Price in USD
Prices are based on achieved artistic levels, not based on sizes.
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Please do click to view the detailed pictures of this item on Facebook before making a payment. The pictures will show all the corners including front and back sides of your purchased item in the Comment area and its dimension in inches and cilimeters.
This title 立根原在破岩中 symbolizes resilience, strength, and overcoming adversity by finding strength in difficult circumstances. Shared in FB group.
Common Translations:
Roots already taken deeply into creviced rocks.
In the chasm of a rock, it plants its root so deep.
立根 (lì gēn) To establish roots; to set a foundation
原 (yuán) Originally; inherently
在 (zài) In; at
破岩 (pò yán) Broken rocks; creviced rock; chasms
中 (zhōng) Inside; within
一心同德 (yī xīn tóng dé) can be translated to emphasize unity and shared purposes/values:
- Of one heart and one mind
- United in purpose/will
- Solidarity / Unite as one
迎春 (yíng chūn) means "to welcome spring" or "welcoming the New Year". The postures of the bamboos' new leaves and stems signify the vitality of the spring.
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Prices are based on achieved artistic levels, not based on sizes.
Please do click to view the detailed pictures of this item on Facebook before making a payment. The pictures will show all the corners including front and back sides of your purchased item in the Comment area.
To be titled
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Joshua's bamboo paintings - for sale soon
Know the White & Keep the Black 知白守黑 2026.4.7A1
知白守黑 (zhī bái shǒu hēi) is a Taoist idiom from the Laozi, meaning to understand what is bright/pure but maintain obscurity/humility.
Common English Translations:
Know white, keep black (literal)
Know and observe all but stay obscure
Be aware of the bright, but abide in the dark
Embrace humility despite knowledge
Contextual Usa
知白守黑 (zhī bái shǒu hēi) is a Taoist idiom from the Laozi, meaning to understand what is bright/pure but maintain obscurity/humility.
Common English Translations:
Know white, keep black (literal)
Know and observe all but stay obscure
Be aware of the bright, but abide in the dark
Embrace humility despite knowledge
Contextual Usage:
Philosophy: A Taoist approach to life (from Dao De Jing Chapter 28: "知其白，守其黑，為天下式").
Art/Design: Used in art to describe the balance of solid and void, or in "Know White, Keep Black" calligraphy.
Price will be added later.
Estimated $600 with backing.
Need to remount and fix some corners.
To be titled
Price will be added later.
To be titled
Price will be added later.
To be titled
Price will be added later.
To be titled
$250 without mountning
To be titled
Price will be added later.
To be titled $300
Zen heart, affinity with bamboo 禪心竹緣
Zen heart, affinity with bamboo 禪心竹緣
Price will be added later.
Zen heart, affinity with bamboo 禪心竹緣
Zen heart, affinity with bamboo 禪心竹緣
Zen heart, affinity with bamboo 禪心竹緣
Batch 2025.6.16
Price will be added after inscription, seal stamps, and mounting.
Estimated price: $700 with mounting included
VIrtues & proverbs of Bamboos
Chinese bamboo painting symbolizes the ideal scholar's virtues: integrity, resilience, humility, and strength. As one of the "Four Gentlemen," bamboo represents uprightness (straight stem), modesty (hollow heart), and endurance (green in winter). It highlights adaptability—bending, but not breaking—reflecting moral fortitude and inner strength.
On Humility: "Be like bamboo. The higher you grow, the deeper you bow." — Chinese Proverb
On Resilience: "The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists." — Japanese Proverb
On Flexibility: "Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind." — Bruce Lee
On Inner Strength: "The human capacity for burden is like bamboo—far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance." — Jodi Picoult