Xugu (虛谷)

Xugu (虛谷) was an artist active for much of the nineteenth century, with documented production spanning the years 1819 through 1895. Though specific details regarding the artist’s life and movement affiliation are often scarce, the quality of their work is affirmed by representation in major international institutions.

The primary body of existing documentation features Xugu (虛谷) paintings, with ten specific works, including eight paintings, held in prominent North American museum collections. This includes significant holdings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Noted works preserved in these collections include the detailed compositions Plum Blossoms, Crane, and Spring and the animal study Cat and Butterfly. Xugu’s attention to flora and fauna is also evident in Bamboo and Squirrel (松鼠翠竹圖) and Wisteria and Goldfish (紫藤金魚圖). The artist also produced thematically complex pieces, such as Flowers in Rain through the Four Stages of Meditation.

Today, the work of Xugu (虛谷) is highly accessible. Many of these historically significant images have entered the public domain, allowing for the widespread availability of high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for educational and appreciation purposes.