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Miscellaneous Studies

one leaf dated 1619
Not on view
This album plays on the theme of reality versus illusion. The moon is reflected in a basin of water, a flower is next to its image in a mirror, and a butterfly is attracted to chrysanthemums painted on a silk fan. Chen emphasized the multiple levels of his artifice on this album leaf by incorporating his signature within the composition of the fan painting and by screening one wing of the butterfly with the fan, forcing us to view the insect through the painting as well as through the medium of painting. Other artful manipulations are represented by a miniature potted garden, or penzai (bonsai, in Japanese), which shows how man can transform nature, and by a twig with worm-eaten leaves, which underscores how nature constantly transforms itself.

There is no precedent for these symbolic still-life subjects in scholar painting. Instead, these highly sophisticated images, which relate to the ornamental designs found on deluxe crafts of the time, including molded ink cakes, printed stationery, and the carved decoration of Yixing ceramics, reflect Chen Hongshou's early involvement in creating woodblock illustrations for novels and dramas.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 明/清 陳洪綬 橅古圖 冊
  • Title: Miscellaneous Studies
  • Artist: Chen Hongshou (Chinese, 1598/99–1652)
  • Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
  • Date: one leaf dated 1619
  • Culture: China
  • Medium: Album of twelve paintings; ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Image (each leaf): 7 x 7 in. (17.8 x 17.8 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Wan-go H. C. Weng, 2005
  • Object Number: 2005.112a–l
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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7611. Miscellaneous Studies

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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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