Attributed to Zeng Zhaoming

Attributed to ZENG ZHAOMING (China, 20th century).
"Rooster and chickens under a bamboo".
Watercolor and ink on paper.
Signed at lower right in Chinese characters "Zeng Zhaoming" with a red seal.
Provenance: private collection in the Netherlands.
In good condition overall, with light wear due to age. Light wrinkling and scattered minor stains. Paper slightly wavy in some spots.
Measurements: 108 x 60 cm.

The painting "Rooster and hens under bamboo" presents a lively barnyard scene: a proud rooster perched on a rocky outcrop, flanked by two hens looking for food under the arching leaves of the bamboo. The contrast of bold, dry brushstrokes in the rocks and feathers with soft washes of color in the foliage reflects a delicate balance between energy and harmony. Touches of red on the crests and chins enliven the sober color palette. In Chinese culture, the rooster embodies vigilance and prosperity, associated with the "five virtues": courage, reliability, civility, martial spirit and benevolence. The presence of chickens reinforces the themes of domestic harmony and abundance, making the painting not only decorative, but also auspicious.

Zeng Zhaoming is known for his refined contributions to the modern tradition of hua niao (birds and flowers) painting. His work combines the energetic calligraphic brushstrokes typical of Chinese literary painting with more naturalistic touches of color and atmosphere. Zeng's signed and sealed pieces are prized by collectors for their rhythmic composition and symbolic content, linking traditional iconography with a modern sensibility.