Pu Ru (Chinese, 1896–1963) was a traditional painter and calligrapher, and member of the Manchu imperial family. Born in Beijing, the artist’s privileged background enabled him to study at the University of Berlin. After returning to China, he spent many years in the mountains at the Jie Tai Monastery to continue his studies. Following the overthrow of the Qing dynasty, when the communist forces came to power, he fled to Taiwan, where he made a living by selling paintings and calligraphic works.

In 1949, he was appointed a professor at National Taiwan Normal University. In spite of his Western education, he advocated for traditional Chinese painting. In 1959, he held a comprehensive exhibition of his works at the National Museum of History in Taipei. Today, he is considered to be one of the most accomplished masters of Chinese art, and became well known for his skill at depicting nature, as well as his landscapes, bird-and-flower, and figure paintings.

The artist died in Taipei at the age of 67.