Who painted 明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes?

明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes was painted by Chen Hongshou in one leaf dated 1627.

Where can I see 明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes?

明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is 明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes?

明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes

Chen Hongshou , 1627

明/清陳洪綬、陳字雜畫冊|Figures, flowers, and landscapes is an ink painting by the Baroque artist Chen Hongshou. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The composition balances dense detail with open space, using controlled, calligraphic strokes for outlines and softer, layered washes for volume and atmosphere.

The album comprises eleven leaves executed in ink and color on silk, with dimensions of 22.2 cm in height and 21.7 cm in width per leaf. Chen Hongshou employs meticulous brushwork, integrating fine linework with modulated ink washes to define forms in figures, flowers, and birds. The composition balances dense detail with open space, using controlled, calligraphic strokes for outlines and softer, layered washes for volume and atmosphere.

Stylistic qualities include expressive exaggeration in facial features and drapery, aligning with the archaizing manner of late Ming figure painting. The silk support, typical for album formats of the period, allows for subtle color saturation while maintaining luminosity.

History & Provenance

The album of eleven leaves, titled Figures, flowers, and landscapes, was created in 1655 by Chen Hongshou and Chen Zi. Executed in ink and color on silk, the work originates from China and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Specific dimensions for the album leaves include a height of 22.2 cm and a width of 21.7 cm. The creation date is recorded as January 1, 1655.

While the work features depictions of birds, flowers, and men, the provided records do not detail the specific commissioning patron, the initial ownership chain prior to the museum acquisition, or the precise circumstances surrounding its production beyond the attribution to the two artists and the year of completion.

Overview

This album by Chen Hongshou, dating from the Ming or Qing dynasty, comprises eleven individual leaves executed in ink and color on silk. Titled Figures, Flowers, and Landscapes, it presents a diverse array of subjects. Each delicate drawing forms a self-contained scene, inviting close observation of its intricate details and carefully arranged compositions, characteristic of the artist's refined approach to album painting.

Subject & Meaning

The album's title, Figures, Flowers, and Landscapes, accurately reflects its varied content. Across its eleven leaves, the artist meticulously depicts birds, human figures, and botanical elements. These subjects are often situated within natural environments, such as among branches and stones, creating intimate vignettes.

Each composition functions as a miniature stage, where figures are posed with deliberate artistry, contributing to the overall narrative of the collection.