Paintings after Ancient Masters: Rock, Old Tree, and Bamboo

Chen Hongshou’s ‘Paintings after Ancient Masters: Rock, Old Tree, and Bamboo’ is an album leaf painted with ink and color on silk. It dates from the late Ming dynasty. Cleveland Museum of Art, 1598–1652.

The painting features a rugged rock, a gnarled old tree, and bamboo. These elements are common in Chinese landscape painting, symbolizing resilience and virtue.

Chen Hongshou was active during the late Ming dynasty. Known for his detailed and expressive style, he often revisited themes from older masters.

Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio https://clevelandart.org/art/1979.27.2.21