Chen Zhongzi Declining the Chancellor’s Seal, Hanging Scroll
Hua Yan
Qing Dynasty
- MEDIUM:Ink and color on paper
- FORMATS:Hanging scroll
- DIMENSIONS:Height 179.5 cm; Width 97 cm
Introduction
Hua Yan excelled at narrative figure painting, skillfully recreating historical episodes and revealing personality. This scroll depicts the story of Chen Zhongzi, the renowned Warring States philosopher who refused the post of Chancellor of Chu, choosing instead a humble life as a gardener. When the King of Chu sought to appoint him, Chen consulted his wife. She replied, “You spend your days playing the qin and reading, content in yourself. Riding in a grand carriage drawn by four horses still offers only enough space to bend your knees; a lavish feast before you still yields no more than a single piece of meat. Why burden yourself with the troubles of the Chu state?” Convinced, Chen declined the offer.
Chen Zhongzi and his wife’s philosophy of life mirrored Hua Yan’s own ideals in his later years—eschewing worldly ambition in favor of seclusion among mountains and forests, devoting himself entirely to artistic creation. It was this single-minded dedication that made Hua Yan a versatile master excelling in the three arts of poetry, calligraphy, and painting.
