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Figures, flowers, and landscapes

leaves a–d by Chen Hongshou Chinese
leaves e–k by Chen Zi Chinese
one leaf dated 1627
Not on view
This album has four paintings by the late Ming master Chen Hongshou and seven by his son Chen Zi. The first is one of the most iconic images in Chen Hongshou’s oeuvre—a mournful self-portrait depicting the artist drowning his sorrows in wine. It is followed by paintings of landscapes, birds, flowers, and figures. The combining of diverse subjects in a single album was known as “zahua,” and it was an opportunity for a painter to demonstrate versatility. A zahua album is meant to delight the viewer with variety, as a new subject appears with each turn of the page.

The paintings may have been brought together into an album by a collector at a later date, or even perhaps by Chen Zi himself. Comparison of the two men’s work reveals that while Chen Zi worked in his father’s style, he could not match his father’s fluidity or quirky charm.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 明/清 陳洪綬、陳字 雜畫 冊
  • Title: Figures, flowers, and landscapes
  • Artist: leaves a–d by Chen Hongshou (Chinese, 1598/99–1652)
  • Artist: leaves e–k by Chen Zi (Chinese, 1634–1711)
  • Period: Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties
  • Date: one leaf dated 1627
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Album of eleven leaves; ink and color on silk
  • Dimensions: Image: 8 3/4 x 8 9/16 in. (22.2 x 21.7 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Wan-go H. C. Weng, 1999
  • Object Number: 1999.521a–k
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

Audio

Cover Image for 7341. Figures, Flowers and Landscapes

7341. Figures, Flowers and Landscapes

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More Artwork

More Artwork
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Vase of Flowers, Chen Hongshou Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China
Vase of Flowers
Chen Hongshou
Calligraphy, Chen Hongshou Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on green paper, China
Calligraphy
Chen Hongshou
Scholar-recluse in blue-green landscape, Chen Hongshou Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China
Scholar-recluse in blue-green landscape
Chen Hongshou
1633
Landscape, Chen Hongshou Chinese, Folding fan mounted as an album leaf; ink and color on gold paper, China
Landscape
Chen Hongshou
mid-17th century
Blue and Green Landscape with Figure, Chen Hongshou Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, China
Blue and Green Landscape with Figure
Chen Hongshou
20th century

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