Chinese paper scroll painting “Scholar under the tree”, attributed to Shao Mei (1909-1954). China, paper scroll painting of a man, standing in a garden, with blossoming tree, featuring bright red flowers, and red seal and calligraphy signature, signed by Shao Mei. Width: 17 inches = 43.2 cm, Width of the scroll 58 cm Width including wooden ends: 67. 5 cm Length/Height: 50 inches = 127 cm; Weight: 408 g; Scroll wooden ends. Condition: several creases, overall perfect, high quality paper. Provenance: private collection in California. Microscopic research: Magnification of 50x reveals authentic hand-painted picture, and hand written signature and genuine red seal. (Photos are attached) Authenticity: high probability of being authentic. BIOGRAPHY: Born in 1909, Chen Shao Mei was known for her unique method of fusing traditional Chinese painting styles with modernist techniques and aesthetics. The artist’s oeuvre is often associated with the values of stillness, calmness, and serenity. Her abilities to blend complementary colours, the meticulous use of brushstrokes, and her mastery to innovate modern art movements made her very famous among her peers. She is considered to be one of few celebrated Chinese female artist due to her painting “A Scholar Sitting on the Boat” which got sold in Beijing for a record price of $1,123,339 USD in 2013. Her works are often described as evoking a sense of tranquility, expressing lines of brushstrokes and vibrant colors which give its viewers a sense of movement and energy. The artist’s background is not without challenges. She lived during an era of political change and social upheaval in China, and her works were often targeted to be censored and criticized. Nevertheless, the artist continued to persevere in both in art and in life that she reflected her challenges and philosophy unto her creations through her exemplary abilities as an artist. She died at a young age of 45 in 1954. Her ground-breaking style as an artist, and her legacy as one of the few successful females from her era, continue to draw both audiences and aspiring artists alike to be enamored and inspired.