Chen Hongshou

Background

Chen Hongshou was born in 1598 in Zhuji, Zhejiang, China. His father died when Chen was nine.

Education

Chen Hongshou once trained under Lan Ying.

Career

Chen became a Buddhist monk in 1646 but was torn between the conflicting ideals of Confucian government service and Buddhist retirement.

He 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. Chen's two masterpieces," Shui Hu Ye Zi" and "Bo Gu Ye Zi", were the rare examples among the Ming and the Qing dynasties. He was also skilled in calligraphy, poetry and prose.

Chen Hongshou died in 1652 in Zhejiang, China.

Achievements

• Chen Hongshou was noted for his curious, masterfully executed paintings of ancient personalities. His works are kept in museums and galleries all over the world including these in the United States: Honolulu Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Freer Gallery of Art.

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Self-portrait (detail)

  • Portrait of T'ao Ch'ien

  • Immortals Celebrating a Birthday

  • Portrait of Tao Yuanming

  • Magnolia and Erect Rock

  • Landscape of Pine Valley

  • Lady Xuanwen Jun Giving Instructions on the Classics (detail)

  • The Dragon King Revering the Buddha

  • Lady Xuanwen Jun Giving Instructions on the Classics

  • The Mountain of the Five Cataracts

  • Immortals Celebrating a Birthday (detail)

  • An Elegant Gathering

  • Lao-tzu Riding an Ox

  • Self-portrait

  • Drinking Wine in the Garden

Connections

teacher:

Lan Ying

References

• Repentant Monk: Illusion and Disillusion in the Art of Chen Hongshou
• The Figurative Works of Chen Hongshou (1599–1652): Authentic Voices/Expanding Markets (Visual Culture in Early Modernity)
• Chen Hongshou (Chinese Edition)
• The Art of Chen Hongshou: Calligraphy, Painting, Seal-carving and Teapot-design
• Chen Hongshou (Paperback)(Chinese Edition)
• The Painting Handbook of Chen Hongshou(Chinese Edition)