Chen Shuren (Chinese: 陳樹人; 1884–1948) was a Chinese painter. Born Chen Zhe (陳哲), he was renamed Chen Shao (陳韶) and also known by the art namesDe'an Laoren (得安老人), Jiawai Yuzi (葭外漁子), and Ershan Shanqiao (二山山樵), among others.[1][2]
Born in Mingjing, Panyu, Guangdong in 1884, Chen studied under painter Ju Lian.[3] In 1903, Chen and two brothers, Gao Jianfu and Gao Qifeng, co-founded the Guangdong Daily.[4] Together, the trio, known collectively by their surnames "Two Gous and one Chan" or as "The three greats of Lingnan", became leaders of the Lingnan school of painting, credited with popularizing the nihonga art style in China.[5][6] Chen joined the Tongmenghui upon its establishment in 1905. In 1906, he left to attend art school in Kyoto (Kyoto City School of Arts and Crafts), returning to China in 1912 after accepting a teaching position in Guangdong. He went back to Japan in 1913, enrolling at Rikkyo University. Upon completing his studies, Chen remained overseas, serving as secretary general of the Canadian branch of the Kuomintang. He became active in the Guangdong Kuomintang chapter in 1922, the same year he arrived in China. Chen became allied with Wang Jingwei between 1928 and 1931. From 1932 to 1947, Chen led the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission. He withdrew politically from Wang, who led a Japan-friendly collaborationist government from 1940 to 1944.[4]
