Chen Hongshou


Chen Hongshou, 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, and his pseudonyms were Laolian, Fuchi, Yunmenseng, Huichi, Chiheshang and Huiseng. 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" 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: