Jin Nong (1687 – 1764): The Eccentric Poet Painter Jin Nong, born in Hangzhou in 1687, stands as a singular figure in Chinese art history—a celebrated painter and calligrapher who defied convention and embraced an unconventional path to artistic success. Unlike many artists of his era striving for patronage and acclaim within the imperial court, Jin Nong cultivated a distinctive style rooted in amateur scholarship and fueled by a desire for independence. His legacy resides not merely in his exquisite paintings but also in his pioneering exploration of self-portraiture and his embrace of coll…