Yi Da’an, born in Heshan, Guangdong Province, was a seal carver and professor of music. He started his higher learning in Guangya College and transferred to Shanghai Aurora University, then studied in Japan. He could speak English, French, and Japanese and was an expert in literature, calligraphy, painting, seal carving etc. He taught at the Shanghai Music Academy, Jinan University, and Beijing Normal University after returning from Japan. He also established the Huanan Press and the Jinshi Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House with Huang Binhong, and published many books on Chinese art.
The recipient of this painting, the owner of Guxi Studio, was Liang Zhengxiu. He was the brother of Liang Xiaojun, the famous connoisseur in Guangdong during the late 19th century and early 20th century. The Liang brothers love to collect paintings and calligraphy of famous figures of Guangdong in their Guxi Studio. Liang Xiaojun studied in the United Stated in his early life and then ran the business between Hong Kong and Shanghai. Liang brothers met Yi in Shanghai and had a good relationship with him. They also had many Yi’s exquisite works in their collection.