Zhou Chen, Ming Dynasty
Ink on silk
24.6*21.3cm

This painting depicts a cold night in deep autumn - desolate and withered trees, a few cold crows perched on the branches accompanied by the cold moon; it is all solitude and cold. Zhou Chen applies his brushes freely; he creates at once simple images, yet bearing an atmosphere of profundity. There is a world of difference between this painting and those rigid and uninspired commissioned works by the same painter. "Cold Crows and the Night Moon" is a spontaneous revelation of the painter's spirit, and his painting technique. The artistic value of this painting is created by the free rein of the artist's divided inspiration.