Wang Zhen (1867-1938) was a celebrated modern Chinese artist of the Shanghai School. He was originally from Wuxing in Zhejiang Province, although he spent most of his life in Shanghai, where he was a successful businessman and banker.

When he was young, he learned painting from Ren Bonian. In addition, Wang was closely associated with and considered the disciple of the painter Wu Changshuo.

It is believed that some of Wu's paintings were actually the works of Wang Zhen.Wang Zhen's paintings enjoy a considerable popularity in Japan where he had made many trips in his business and artistic career. He is known there as O Itei from his variant Chinese name of Wang Yiting.

Source:
Website of China Online Museum, 2020

A Shanghai native, Wang Zhen was a successful businessman with trade enterprises and shipping companies that afforded him the opportunity to make frequent trips to Japan. He was also an active member of the vibrant Shanghai school of painting and in close contact with many in a wide artistic circle.

The artist was also a devout lay Buddhist and a generous philanthropist. While traveling to Japan for business, Wang Zhen was able to view many early Chinese paintings in the Chan Buddhist tradition from the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Here, the angular, bold lines on the Bodhisattva's robes recall expressive brushwork found in the later paintings by the Song Master Liang Kai (active 1172-c. 1204).