NTNU University Archives

Calligraphy Painting Master Puru (Pu Xinyu) (1896-1963)

Biography
NTNU Connection
Field of Expertise
Honors and Contributions
Major Works

Puru, name Ru, style name Xin Yu. A famous modern calligrapher and painter of Taiwan. With Huang Junbi and Chang Dai-chien was known collectively as the "Three Masters from across the Sea".He was a member of the Manchurian royal family and a cousin of Puyi. In his youth he studied at the University of Berlin and received a doctoral degree in astronomy.

In 1949 he was given a teaching position at the Department of Fine Arts of NTNU. He taught calligraphy. He emphasized the importance of brush stroke technique and once said, "rather have no ink than no brush".

Puru was skilled in painting scenery, people, flowers and birds, and animals in the Northern Sanshui style and Southern brush stroke style. In his works there are few overlapping lines. He emphasized that apart from careful observation, one must also develop an understanding of the subject. His calligraphy has a casual elegance, he believed that to paint a small character one must first practice with a large character. Apart from calligraphy and painting, he was also a learned scholar and self-styled poet. In his later years he concentrated on sketches of scenery and people in Taiwan. He was often invited to speak or present at conferences and exhibitions across Asia.

In 1954 he received the Ministry of Education Art Award for "Art Theories on Hanyu Hall".

Art Theories on Hanyu Hall, Discourse on Hanyu Hall, Collection of Substantiation on the Four Books and Five Classics, Collection of Erya's Interpretations, Selected Passages of the Treatise on Literature.

(Image source: Hwa Kang Museum)

Calligraphy Painting Master Puru (Pu Xinyu)