Chen Shizeng

CHINA, Hunan, Xiangxi

A calligrapher, painter, and seal engraver, Chen Shizeng had an original name of Hengke and was also known as Huaitang. Born in Fenghuang of Xiangxi, he learned under Wu Changshuo before going to Japan to study. After his return, he engaged in art education and assisted in the establishment of the Chinese Painting Research Association. Also a proficient poet and writer, his written works include: Chinese Painting History, Research of Chinese Literary Painting, Posthumous Calligraphy of Chen Shizeng, Selected Paintings of Chen Shizeng, Seals Collection of Rancang Room, and Copy of Huaitang Poetry.
His floral and bird paintings were influenced by the works of Xu Wei, Chen Chun, and Wu Changshuo, exhibiting a solid and beautiful style, while his landscape paintings mimicked natural scenery with simple, unadorned brushwork. In painting figures, his depictions were realistic, and his Buddhist figure paintings, exemplified by Arhats and Bodhidharma, featured ancient characteristics. Chen also learned the art of seal engraving from Wu Changshuo, and developed a style that was elegant and unadorned. Many of his works integrated all aspects of his artistic prowess into one, fusing poetry, calligraphy, seal engraving, and calligraphy together to create works that are full of emotion, creativity, charm, and natural appeal.
Paintings by Chen include Painting and Calligraphy Appreciation and Landscape, which are kept at the Palace Museum in Beijing. His seal engraving works include: Shizeng Painting the Buddha, Seeing the Buddha When the Flower Blossoms, and Vigorous Diligence, all of which are Buddhist inspired pieces.