Portrait of Huang Zhenzhi

Inscription: An image of Zhenzhi Huang at age sixty painted by Beihong. When others were starving, this gentleman showed compassion. When holding up a mirror to the human heart, this gentleman showed wisdom. One may have furs and horses in youth, but can become dejected and decrepit in old age; I worry that favors, if not remembered, will soon be forgotten. When one finds ease and health, a strong spirit grows. I present this to the gentleman’s descendants, with whom I can talk and laugh through the day without feeling tired. Loyalty is as rare now as it was in ancient times. If life is a game, why do so many desire the end? I wanted to capture this gentleman’s air to pay homage to his kind countenance, sighing at the affairs of the world.

Seal: “Beihong’s painting” (Square seal with incised characters) and “Half a load of music and books” (Square seal with incised characters)
Huang Zhenzhi was born in the late Qing dynasty. He was a businessman from Wuxing with a life-long love of calligraphy and painting. When Xu Beihong was young and in dire financial straits, he received Huang Zhenzhi’s recognition and support. Xu Beihong later used the name “Huang Fu” to show his gratitude to his benefactors from the Huang family (Huang Zhenzhi and Huang Jingwan).