Lot 201. Chen Hongshou (1598-1652), Flowers of Different Trees, Bamboo, Orchids and a Lingzhi, 17th century. Fan Mounted as Album Leaf, ink on gold paper, 17 x 49 cm. One seal of the artist: “Seal of Chen Hongshou” (Chen Hongshou yin). Sold: €8 000 (Est: €8 000 - €12 000). Photo Nagel Auction.

An array of flowering twigs of different trees is drawn in extraordinary fine ink lines and delicate ink lavis. The flowers are so neatly interwoven that it is sometimes hard to separate them. A twig with bamboo leaves, an orchid and a fungus of longevity (lingzhi) are mixed within them.

Provenance: Old and important European private collection, assembled before 1930 and between 1950 and 1980.

Note: This curious arrangement and the preference of unusual forms are a hint to the style of Chen Hongshou. He is mainly known as a figure painter but also did some paintings of flowers. In both genres he used grotesque and exaggerated forms to express his unhappiness with his life and the worldly affairs. He especially suffered under the fall of the Qing dynasty and the takeover of the land by the Manchus. This fan painting is of extraordinary fine quality and may be from his hand.

Fine Asian Art - Day I by Nagel Auction, June 12, 2023, Stuttgart