Orchid and Rock/Gourds

Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang in 1918, Chen Congzhou was formerly named Yu Wen and went by the sobriquets Zi Shi and Zi Weng. Specialising in landscapes, figures, and flowers, he was formerly under the tutelage of Zhang Daqian (1899-1983). A man of many talents, Chen was an outstanding essayist, historian, poet, calligrapher, and painter, in addition to being an expert in ancient Chinese architecture and known as ‘the father of modern Chinese gardens’. Considered as a ‘painter of tangible landscapes’, the landscapes and gardens which Chen designed all have large open spaces and waters, much like the blank spaces in traditional Chinese paintings. With strong attention to detail and a brilliant command of Chinese art history, Chen presents elegant and exquisite paintings.