Shen Quan

• Shen Quan was a late Qing court painter active from the Xianfeng to Guangxu periods. He served for a long time at the Ruyi Pavilion of the Qing imperial palace. His paintings covered subjects such as figures, landscapes, and flowers and birds, with particular excellence in the meticulous gongbi painting technique. His work style aligned with the aesthetic preferences of the Qing royal family. Together with Shen Shijie and Shen Shiru, he completed the “Infant Play Scroll,” which uses homophonic puns to vividly express the theme of many children and prosperity. This artwork is currently housed in the Palace Museum.