Jin Nong, a calligrapher and painter of the Qing Dynasty, was the first of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. The names were Shomen, Sinong, Jijin, Mr. Dongxin, Jiliu Shanmin, Qujiang Waishi, Xiye Jushi, Shou Taoist, etc. He was a native of Qiantang (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang), and lived in commoner life. He likes to travel, but he returns home without encountering anything. Later he lived in Yangzhou and sold calligraphy and paintings to support himself. He is fond of novels and loves to learn, and specializes in poetry and calligraphy. His poetry and prose are ancient and unique, and he is good at identifying them. Calligraphy created a flat-stroke calligraphy style with both regular script and official script, which was called "lacquer calligraphy" at the time. He didn't start painting until he was fifty-three years old. The shapes of his paintings are unique and ancient. He is good at using light ink and dry brush to create flower sketches, and is especially good at painting plum blossoms. Representative works include "Eastern Calyx Tuhua Picture", "Empty Defense as Sprinkling Picture", "Winter Plum First Blossom Picture", etc. He is the author of "Winter Heart Poems", "Winter Heart Essays", "Winter Heart Miscellaneous Works", etc.
