Introduction
Chen Hongshou (1598–1652), formerly romanized as Ch'en Hung-shou, was a Chinese painter of the late Ming dynasty.
Life
Chen was born in Zhuji, Zhejiang province in 1598, during the Ming dynasty. His courtesy name was Zhanghou (章侯), and hispseudonyms were Laolian (老莲), Fuchi (弗迟), Yunmenseng (云门僧), Huichi (悔迟), Chiheshang (迟和尚) and Huiseng (悔僧). He once trained under Lan Ying, and was skilled in painting peculiar human figures, landscapes, flower-and-bird. He utilized plump, profound brushwork and precise color, creating a unique style. He always painted illustrations and made tapestry portraits. His two masterpieces," Shui Hu Ye Zi" (水浒叶子) and "Bo Gu Ye Zi", were the rare examples among the Ming and the Qing dynasties. He was very famous at that time, called "Chen in South and Cui in North", together with Cui Zizhong. He also was skilled in calligraphy,poetry and prose.
Works
His works are kept in museums and galleries all over the world including these in the United States:
- Returning HomeHonolulu Museum of Art
- Flowers & Bird (Xi Shang Mei Shao)Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Immortals Celebrating a Birthday Indianapolis Museum of Art
- Lady Xuanwen Jun Giving Instructions on the ClassicsCleveland Museum of Art
- Master Laozi on the Back of OxCleveland Museum of Art
- The Mountain of the Five CataractsCleveland Museum of Art
- The Dragon King Revering the BuddhaFreer Gallery of Art