IN THE STYLE OF CHEN HONGSHOU (1599-1652), Two Cranes on a Pine Tree, China, ca. 17th/18th ct., hanging scroll, 206 x 47 cm, ink and colors on silk. Signature by the artist "Painted by Laolian Hongshou." Two seals of the artist: "Shou", "Zhanghou". Chen Hongshou, sobriquet Laolian, was the leading figure painter of the late Ming dynasty. He is famous for his satirical transformation of archaistic styles. Besides figures he also painted landscapes and flowers and birds. The decorative flatness and the exaggerated dark knot-holes of the pine in this painting are characteristic for the unique flavour of his paintings. The somehow curious stylized forms of the black necks of the two cranes also fit into this deliberate playing with interesting forms. Though this painting does not fully represent the style of Chen Hongshou and is not by his hand, it is executed quite fine and with masterly perfection. - Property from an old German private collection, acquired from a private household prior to 1997 - Few part. rest. losses, minor wear