CHINESE SCHOOL (EARLY 20TH CENTURY) 'The four gentlemen' Ink on paper, a set of four fan paintings, signed and sealed, mounted in two hanging scrolls. Each 30cm (11 3/4in) diam. (2). 注脚 Provenance: A European private collection formed in Shanghai in the early 20th century. The group of bamboo, chrysanthemum, prunus and orchid are known as the 'four gentlemen' or 'four noble ones', a beloved subject of ink and wash painting.