Chen Hongshou: the Sublime Realm of Figure Painting

Chen Hongshou (陈洪绶, 1598-1652) was a Chinese painter of late Ming Dynasty. A native of Zhuji, ZheJiang province, he became fond of painting when he was a child. His style name was Zhanghou (章侯). His pseudonyms 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. He had a chance to enter the Forbidden City in Beijing where he could access and copy hundreds of paintings by great painting masters of all times collected by the royal family. With the end of Mind Dynasty and the beginning of Qing Dynasty, he converted to a Buddhist monk, and lived on selling his paintings.

He is most famous for personality paintings, print paintings and illustration of books. His style of paintings on figure subjects is “curious but reasonable”. He refused to paint for nobleman and dignitaries of Qing Dynasty, but would give his works to poor people for free. His style of painting had great influence to a number of latter-day painters including Ren Yi. His works are kept in museums and galleries all over the world.

Chen Hongshou Works:

Portrait of Zhong Kui

Tea Time

Two Scholars on the Bridge

Wood print of Figures

Tao Yuanming

Leaf Album Painting

Stories of Tao Yuanming