Xu Rurong (許汝榮, Taiwanese, 20th century) Two Landscape Paintings, ink and color on paper, depicting mountainous scenery with winding paths, clustered dwellings, and expressive pine trees rendered in a lively and textured brush manner. The compositions reflect a synthesis of traditional Chinese literati landscape painting with modern sensibilities, emphasizing layered spatial depth and rhythmic brushwork.

Xu Rurong was active in Taiwan and belonged to a generation of artists engaged in exhibition culture and cross-cultural exchange. He moved to Japan in 1920 and studied in Tokyo before later settling in Taiwan in the mid-20th century, where he continued to develop his painting practice. He exhibited widely and worked alongside contemporaries such as Hsi Te-chin (席德进, 1923–1981) and Yang San-lang (杨三郎, 1907–1995), reflecting a shared interest in integrating traditional Chinese painting with modern artistic developments.

These paintings reveal a clear engagement with the styles of Huang Binhong (黄宾虹, 1865–1955) and He Tianjian (贺天健, 1891–1977), particularly in their use of dense, layered ink, textured brushstrokes, and the integration of color within an ink-dominant structure. The influence of the Shanghai School (海派) is also evident in the expressive handling of form and emphasis on individual interpretation of landscape.

A cohesive and visually dynamic pair, these works exemplify mid-20th-century Chinese-influenced landscape painting in Taiwan. Well preserved, with strong color and confident brushwork throughout. {Image size: each 26 5/8 x 13 1/2 inches}.

For condition report, please contact the Asian Art Department.