XU GU (1824-1896)

An artist and connoisseur of Chinese painting and calligraphy, Gao Yong (1850-1921), sobriquet Li An, was an active member in Shanghai's community. After the First Sino-Japanese War, he helped establish the Yu Garden Society in 1909, occassionally painting and selling his works to fund the running of the society . Later in life Gao lived as a recluse and worked as a professional artist. He was also recognised as an accomplished seal carver.