Chen Hongshou was a native of Zhuji, in Zhejiang Province. His zi was Zhanghou and his hao Laolian. He was accomplished in painting landscapes, birds, insects and flowers, but he was best known for his figures. His early training in art came from Lan Ying. Subsequently he developed a highly individual and expressive style in his later years. As an outstanding figure painter of the late Ming period, he enjoyed equal prominence with another contemporary master, Cui Zizhong.