Cat under Flowers<br />
Chen Zun (Ch'en Tsun)
Description
Chen Zun
China, active 1573–1619
Cat under Flowers
Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
1612
Hanging scroll, ink on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art
Collection Fund, 1977/2.17
In this painting, a well-fed cat nestles contentedly in the grass
on the bank of a stream, gazing directly out at the viewer. In
this charming example of bird-and-flower painting, Chen Zun
skillfully deploys different tonalities of monochrome ink for the
rocks, flowers, and grasses, and he paints the cat in light, lively
brushstrokes, making effective use of the white space of the paper. It
is inscribed: Playfully painted at the Treasure Ink Studio on 1612.12.15 by
your servant, Chen Zun.
Spring/Summer 2021 Gallery Rotation
__________
Inscription: Playfully painted at the Treasure Ink Studio on 1612.12.15 by your servant, Chen Zun
Two seals of the artist
In this painting a well-fed cat nestles contentedly among the grass and flowers, relaxing on the bank of a stream. Rejecting detailed realism, Chen Zun freely paints the cat in light, lively brushstrokes, making effective use of the white space of the paper. Rocks, flowers, and grasses are skillfully depicted in different tonalities of monochrome ink. In this charming example of bird and flower painting, the animated cat, comfortably ensconced, gazes directly out at the viewer.
Gallery Rotation Fall 2011
Chen Zun
China, active 1573–1619
Cat under Flowers
Ming Period (1368–1644)
1612
Hanging scroll, ink on paper
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund, 1977/2.17
In this painting a well-fed cat nestles contentedly among the grass and flowers, relaxing on the bank of a stream. Rejecting detailed realism, Chen Zun freely paints the cat in light, lively brushstrokes, making effective use of the white space of the paper. Rocks, flowers, and grasses are skillfully depicted in different tonalities of monochrome ink. In this charming example of bird and flower painting, the animated cat, comfortably ensconced, gazes directly out at the viewer.
Subject Matter:
In this charming example of bird and flower painting, the animated cat, comfortably ensconced, gazes directly out at the viewer.
Rejecting detailed realism, Chen Zun freely paints the cat in light, lively brushstrokes, making effective use of the white space of the paper. Rocks, flowers, and grasses are skillfully depicted in different tonalities of monochrome ink.
Physical Description:
In this painting a well-fed cat nestles contentedly among the grass and flowers, relaxing on the bank of a stream.
Usage Rights:
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