Chinese Ink and Color on Silk Painting of a Rooster and Chicks
Republic Period

Finely executed in ink and color on silk, the painting depicts a proud rooster standing upon a rocky outcropping surrounded by several chicks beneath blooming chrysanthemums. The rooster is rendered with carefully layered feathers and an elegant sweeping tail, while the chicks are portrayed with remarkable charm and individuality. The artist balances the strength and vigilance of the adult bird with the innocence and liveliness of the young chicks, creating a scene filled with warmth and vitality.

Chrysanthemums occupy a prominent place in Chinese artistic tradition, symbolizing longevity, resilience, and scholarly virtue. Combined with the rooster and its offspring, the composition conveys auspicious wishes for prosperity, family harmony, and the continuation of future generations. Such themes were especially popular in domestic decorative painting, where images of flourishing families and seasonal abundance served as visual expressions of good fortune.

Executed in the refined manner of traditional Chinese bird-and-flower painting, the work demonstrates careful brushwork, delicate coloration, and a keen observation of natural forms. The composition reflects the enduring influence of literati flower-and-bird painting associated with the style of Yun Shouping (恽寿平，1633-1690), whose elegant treatments of flora remained highly admired by later generations of artists.

Stamped and inscribed along the left side.

{Image: 29 1/2 x 17 inches (76 x 44.4 cm)}

{Frame: 37 5/8 x 24 5/8 inches (97 x 64 cm)}

For condition report, please contact the Asian Art Department.