Hen and Chicks (Mother Hen in Nest)
Original fine art print (Woodblock or Serigraph) on heavy wove paper • Attributed to or in the style of Ding Shaoguang (Yunnan School), or more likely a Chinese Folk Art (Huxian Peasant Painting) movement artist
Style & Movement
Yunnan School / Huxian Peasant Painting; characterized by vibrant colors, decorative patterns, and rural folk-art themes
Medium & Technique
Color woodblock print or high-quality silk-screen (serigraphy) using flat, saturated ink application with graphic line work
Creation Period
Circa 1970s–1990s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 24 inches (image size); Square format
Subject Description
A stylized, multicolored hen sits in a nest made of dark straw inside a woven basket. Several yellow chicks emerge from broken eggs around her, while smaller blue and green chicks feed below on a bright red background. The composition symbolizes fertility, motherhood, and domestic abundance.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The colors appear vibrant without significant fading, though some glare from the glass is visible in the photograph.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $800 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via an international art gallery or a cultural exchange exhibition specializing in Modern Chinese Folk Art during the late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'peasant painting' movement which blended socialist realism with ethnic minority folk patterns. Such works gained international popularity in the 1980s for their decorative appeal and optimistic portrayal of rural life.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive red artist seal (chop) in the lower right corner and high-contrast color blocks typical of the Yunnan modern art revival.
Condition Issues
Visible reflections on glass suggest it is framed under non-archival materials; potential minor undulation of the paper due to humidity.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing to prevent ink degradation and paper yellowing over time.