Wu Changshuo 吳昌碩 (1844-1927)

The Chinese seal artist Wu Changshuo (1844-1927) was a native of Anji, Zhejiang Province, but lived in Shanghai. He was a poet, painter, calligrapher, and seal carver. Toward the end of the Qing Dynasty he served as an official in the government but quit after only a month. He later carved a seal for himself with the inscription, “Magistrate of Andong for one month.” He was one of the founders of the Xiling Seal Society in Hangzhou and later became its president.

“People say I am a good painter, but my calligraphy is better than my painting; some say I am a good calligrapher, but my seal-engraving is better than my calligraphy.”

• Pinyin: Wú Chāngshuò
• Wade-Giles: Wu Ch’ang Shih
• Also known as: Changshi; Dalong; Foulu; Jun; Kutie; Laolu; Pohe; “Taoist” Fu; Wu Junqing; Xuegulu
• Affiliation: Hai and Zhe Schools, Deng School, Wu School

Here are a few examples of his seals and seal side inscriptions. Not shown to scale.