Chen Hongshou

{{Infobox Chinese

|title = Chen Hongshou

|pic=Chen hongshou selfportrait,1635 - crop.jpg

|piccap=Self portrait of Chen Hongshou, 1635

|t=陳洪綬

|s=陈洪绶

|p=Chén Hóngshòu

|w=Ch'en Hung-shou

}}

Chen Hongshou (1598 Zhuji, Zhejiang province –1652), formerly romanized as Ch'en Hung-shou, was a Chinese painter of the late Ming dynasty.

Life

File:Tomb of Chen Hongshou.jpg

Chen was born in Zhuji, Zhejiang province in 1598, during the Ming dynasty. His courtesy name was Zhanghou (章侯), and his pseudonyms were Laolian (老莲), Fuchi (弗迟), Yunmenseng (云门僧), Huichi (悔迟), Chiheshang (迟和尚) and Huiseng (悔僧).Cihai: Page 431. 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.

Biography

At the age of 9, Chen's father died, but his uncle bred and ensured his education. In 1645, he passed the government examinations, receiving official status, only to flee from the advancing Manchus. In 1646, he became a Buddhist monk; although he struggled in the sometimes conflicting ideals of Buddhist retirement or hermitage and Confucian government service.{{Cite web |title=Chen Hongshou {{!}} Ming Dynasty, Ink Paintings, Landscapes {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chen-Hongshou |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}

Works

Image:Chen Hongshou, leaf album painting.jpg, Beijing]]

His works are kept in museums and galleries all over the world including these in the United States:

Returning Home Honolulu Museum of Art
Flowers & Bird (Xi Shang Mei Shao) Metropolitan Museum of Art
Immortals Celebrating a Birthday Indianapolis Museum of Art
Lady Xuanwen Giving Instructions on the Classics Cleveland Museum of Art
Master Laozi on the Back of Ox Cleveland Museum of Art
The Mountain of the Five Cataracts Cleveland Museum of Art
The Dragon King Revering the Buddha Freer Gallery of Art

Gallery

File:Chen Hongshou, Appreciating Plums, detail.jpg|Appreciating Plums, Guangdong Museum

File:ChenhungshoGANODERMA.jpg|Tao Yuanming holding Lingzhi

File:An Elegant Gathering, by Chen Hongshou.jpg|An Elegant Gathering, Shanghai Museum

File:Chen Hongshou, Drinking Wine in the Garden.jpg|Drinking Wine in the Garden, Shanghai Museum

File:Landscape of pine valley by Chen Hongshou.jpg|Landscape of Pine Valley, Shanghai Museum

File:Ch'en Hung-shou 002.jpg|Tao Yuanming, Honolulu Museum of Art

File:明-清陳洪綬準提佛母法像圖軸-Bodhisattva Guanyin in the Form of the Buddha Mother MET DP317447.jpg|Bodhisattva Guanyin in the Form of the Buddha-Mother. Dated 1620, Ming dynasty. Metropolitan Museum of Art.