Gu was a native of the cultural mecca of Suzhou , but eventually joined the community of artists in Shanghai . He must have had access to local collections of old masters because his paintings show a mastery of classical themes . His paintings clearly show a profound respect for and influence from 17th century academic masters such as the “ Four Wangs ” and others . Gu 's works are noted for the distinctive use of ink tones , although some criticized his work as lacking in vitality . He traveled to Japan in 1888 where he sojourned at the official Qing Embassy . On his journey to Kyoto , Gu nearly forced by a flood to remain at Nagoya . This was a loss for Japanese art that happened in 1889 . After his death , Gu 's reputation soared , but unfortunately the best collection of his landscapes in Japan perished in the fires of the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923 . Noted works of the artist are extant there however . A printed selection of his paintings appeared in 1926
Great Kantō earthquake
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
Gu Yun