CHEN; JIRU (attributed)
China. 1558 - 1639
Sparrows on Plum Tree Branches.

Ming period. Dated cyclically 1626. India ink on silk. Hanging scroll; 100 x 42 cm. The hanging scroll shows blossoming plum tree branches with three sparrows. The couple sitting next to each other is looking up to the single one which is in turn watching the two. To the left there is a two-columned inscription; from which the dating can be deduced. Sign.: Chen Jiru. Seal: 1) Artist's seal of Chen Jiru: Chen Jiru yin. 2) Artist's seal of Chen Jiru: Baishi qiao. Condition B. Typical age-related creases and light stains.

Chen Jiru proves his typical picturesque security here; which becomes obvious in the strength of the plum tree branches and the skillful composition. The technically outstanding picturesque and compositional completion is conveyed by the placement and viewing direction of the sparrows in relation to the branches on which they are sitting. Chen thus formed a triangle from the bottom main branch; which runs from the bottom left to the top right; the longest brach which is on top of that; which runs to the top left and the thought line; which develops from the birds looking at one another. All this is balanced by the branch pointing to the top right which is opposite to the artist's calligraphy.

Provenance:
- Private collection Southern Germany.

Literature:
- Barnhart; Richard M.: The Jade Studio - Masterpieces of Ming and Qing Painting from the
Wong Nan-p'ing Collection; New Haven; 1994. P. 62-63; ill. 28.
- Contag; Victoria & Wang; Chi-Ch'ien: Seals of Chinese Painters and Collectors of Ming and Ch'ing Periods. Hongkong; 1982. Seal cp. p. 337-340 and 695.
Art trade; Van Ham.