Christie's Hong Kong Presents Exceptional Works by the Masters
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18 October, 2011 Contacts: Hong Kong – Gillian Leung +852 2978 6736 [email protected] Beijing – Belinda Chen +8610 6500 6517 [email protected] Christie’s Hong Kong Presents Exceptional Works by the Masters Of Chinese Classical and Modern Paintings and Calligraphy Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy Sale 28 November, 2011 (Monday) 2:30 pm James Christie Room (Saleroom 1), Grand Hall, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Fine Chinese Modern Paintings Sale 29 November, 2011 (Tuesday) 10:00 am and 2:30 pm James Christie Room (Saleroom 1), Grand Hall, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Hong Kong -- Leading global auction house Christie’s will present rare and exceptional Chinese paintings at its upcoming Hong Kong Autumn Sales on 28-29 November, 2011. With nearly 600 lots valued over HK$535 million (US$69 million), the sales will feature superlative Chinese classical works by calligraphers and painters such as Wang Duo, Shen Shichong, Chen Jiru, Wen Peng and Chen Hongshou, and modern masterpieces by renowned artists such as Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, Yang Shanshen and Zhao Shao’ang. Reflecting a wide range of artistic styles evolving over several centuries, the works offer an unrivalled opportunity for discerning collectors to acquire rare works with excellent provenance and quality. Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy Sale 28 November (Monday), 2011, 2:30 pm Chinese calligraphy is a unique and abstract art form that had its beginnings thousands of years ago. Its emphasis on motion and form to express pictorial and semantic meanings has long been a source of fascination to global collectors old and new. Especially significant was the Ming dynasty (15th to 17th century) which saw the heyday of the literati. Highlights from this Christie’s sale will feature works by many key artists representative of this period. Wang Duo(1592-1652) Born in Mengjin, Henan Province in China, Wang Duo was a late-Ming government official and a renowned painter and calligrapher. Best known for his cursive script (considered the most expressive script in Chinese calligraphy), he wrote with strong, vigorous strokes reminiscent of the classical style, but added his own features to create a unique form. Leading the Chinese Classical paintings and calligraphy sale is a masterpiece by Wang entitled Poems in Cursive Script Calligraphy (image left), a handscroll painted on satin, dated 1650 when Wang was going on 60 years old. Displaying rich, energetic and flowing brushstrokes that recall the techniques of early Tang Dynasty calligraphers Zhang Xu and Huai Su, this work reflects Wang Duo’s dynamic yet refined style which had a lasting influence on the development of Chinese calligraphy. Estimated at HK$5,000,000 – 7,000,000/US$650,000 – 910,000, the present work comes from the family collection of Wang Yiting (1867- 1938), who was a renowned member of the Shanghai elite during the late Qing and Republican eras. The provenance of the work is further enhanced by inscriptions from other notable collectors who were contemporaries of Wang Yiting: the label is by Lu Hui (1851-1920), inscribed in 1903, the frontispiece is by Yan Xinhou (1838-1906), and the colophon is by Lu Hui, Yang Baoguang (1830-1912), and Di Pingzi (1872-1942). Shen Shichong (16th to 17th century) and Chen Jiru（1558-1639） Another highlight is a work by Shen Shichong entitled Landscapes and Poems (image right), a set of ten album leaves in ink or ink and colour on paper, dated 1629 and estimated at HK$2,000,000 – 3,000,000 /US$260,000 – 390,000. Shen was a landscape painter and Chen Jiru, a calligrapher and artist from the Ming period, both of whom painted in the style of the Song Jiang School which used subtle colours and delicate imagery. With a harmonious combination of calligraphy, poetry and imagery of mountains and forests amid white space, this work radiates calmness. Wen Peng (1498-1573) Wen Peng, a Ming dynasty seal carver, calligrapher, poet and eldest son of Wen Zhengming, displayed his many talents across a wide range of artistic endeavours. He was a well-rounded calligrapher who excelled in the cursive script, among other forms. The work offered in this sale is a handscroll of ink on paper, dated 1552 and entitled Poems in Running Cursive Script (image below, estimate: HK$1,500,000-2,000,000/US$194,000 – 260,000). Building on his father’s foundation, Wen developed the flow and stroke of the cursive script, adding his inner strength and individual character to this well-known calligraphic form. The current lot is presented in its entirety, in the original form, and promises to attract all lovers of fine calligraphy. Chen Hongshou (1598-1652) A native of Zhe Jiang province, Chen Hongshou was a painter and poet from the late Ming/early Qing dynasty. Known for his portraits of people, he was also well-versed in landscapes, flowers and birds. Based on a classical approach, he created his own style by adding bold, profound brushwork and precise colour. Well-known even in his own time, he had a lasting influence on future artists of this genre. In addition to renowned Chinese author Lu Xun being an avid collector of his works, museums worldwide have also collected his works. The current lot – Appreciating the Flower (image right), a fan leaf in ink and colour on gold paper (estimate: HK$250,000 – 300,000/ US$33,000 – 39,000) - offers a rare opportunity for private collectors to acquire one of his exquisite works. Fine Chinese Modern Paintings Sale 29 November (Tuesday), 2011, 10:00 am and 2:30 pm The sale of Fine Modern Chinese Paintings offers a broad spectrum of exceptional works by world-renowned artists such as Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, Yang Shanshen and Zhao Shao’ang, each reflecting the artistic style of different schools such as Nanjing, Ling Nan and Shanghai schools, all of which made significant contributions to the development of modern Chinese painting. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) Excelling in painting, calligraphy, and poetry, Zhang Daqian is certainly one of the greatest Chinese artists in the 20th century. Zhang spent his early years learning from and imitating ancient predecessors, which helped him to acquire a solid foundation in traditional landscape painting. Later in life he travelled extensively, combining gongbi and xieyi, whilst innovating his unique, signature splashed ink and colour technique, which created a whole new artistic style and vocabulary of his own. This season, Christie’s is proud to offer a great work by Zhang - Verdant Mountains and Layered Peaks After Rain (image left, estimate: HK$20,000,000 – 30,000,000 / US$2,600,000 – 3,900,000), created in splashed ink and colour, where the hues of green, blue, and black fuse together into one continuous visual form. Zhang painted houses and pavilions and turned the ink splashes to emulate the mood of a literati painting, creating a landscape where viewers can live and journey within it. The painting is dedicated to Mr. Xie Shoukang (1897-1973) and his wife Madam Xiayi. An influential academic, Xie occupied important positions including the former chairman of the humanities department at the National Central University and assistant drama professor at Columbia University. He was also active in diplomatic circles, having been the Chinese consul in Belgium and the Vatican. Another highlight by Zhang is Gibbon (image right, estimate: HK$7,000,000-9,000,000 /US$910,000-1,160,000), an ink and colour on paper scroll dated 1952. A lover of animals during his life, Zhang kept apes as pets, his fondness deepening as he grew older. In the present lot, the ape depicted in detail is a vivacious creature which comes to life through Zhang’s brushstrokes. Hanging skillfully from a tree and looking straight into the eyes of the beholder, the ape bears a quizzical expression that shows the artist’s immense fondness for the subject matter. Qi Baishi (1863-1957) Qi Baishi, one of the greatest Chinese painters in the 20th century, is also one of the top-selling artists in this genre. Self-taught and known for painting birds and flowers, insects and grasses, figures and landscapes, Qi is recognized not only for his meticulous detailing and contemplative mood, but more importantly, for his unique style and subject matter that are fresh and spontaneous. A key highlight is Cactus (image right), a scroll of ink and colour on paper, estimated at HK$2,000,000- 3,000,000/US$260,000-390,000. Long-awaited by collectors, this work was previously in the hands of famed New York collector and dealer Alice Boney (1901-1988). Fresh, spontaneous and in turn whimsical and poignant, this work exemplifies the artist’s unique integration of everyday objects and living things with the aesthetics of simplicity and Nature. Painted in his sixties, the work reflects the artist’s gradual shift in subject matter from animal life to plant life. Flowers and Insects (image left), a hanging scroll of ink and colour on paper, is another highlight from the sale. Estimated at HK$7,000,000-9,000,000 /US$910,000-1,160,000, this lot was previously in the collection of Chinese artist Fang Junbi (1898 – 1986) and her husband Zeng Zhongming (1896 – 1939). Depicting the interaction between two living organisms (flowers and insects), the seemingly simple strokes draw the viewer to the concept of interaction between human beings and Nature. Xu Beihong（1895-1953） Xu Beihong was one of the first Chinese artists who articulated that art needed to reflect the new China in the 20th century.