Chinese bird-and-flower painting from the mid-20th century: Chen Zhifo’s paintings in Hungary

Abstract

Chen Zhifo 陳之佛 (1895–1962) was one of the most famous Chinese painters of the 20th century. He was not only a celebrated bird-and-flower painter but a well-known designer and teacher as well. In 1958, at the age of 63, Chen Zhifo visited Hungary and donated one of his hanging scrolls to the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Eastern Asiatic Arts. Another album painting was dedicated to the former curator of the Museum. These bird-and-flower paintings are in the focus of the paper. The first part of the paper describes the life and activities of Chen
Zhifo. The second part deals with his bird-and-flower paintings and the third thematic unit focuses on his ideas about painting. Last but not least the paper describes two of his paintings that are now housed in the Ferenc Hopp Museum.