CHEN CHI (1912-2005), 1960

CHEN CHI (1912-2005)1960A THREAD OF ZEN FIRE
Ink, color and gold paint on crumpled silk, laid on fabric, laid on masonite, titled inscribed and dated lower center, signed and dated again lower left; framed
Together with three books related to Chen Chi: "China from the Sketchbooks of Chen Chi", Rosemont, New Jersey, 1974, Inscribed by the artist to Fred Gowen, 1974, and with a Christmas card from the artist, delux edition, numbered 29 of 250, sleeve; "Two or Three Lines from Sketchbooks of Chen Chi", Rosemont, 1969, inscribed by the artist to the Gowens, 1971, delux edition, numbered 57 of 250, sleeve; "Chen Chi, Watercolors, Drawings, Sketches", Rosemont, 1980, inscribed by the artist to the Gowens and dated 1980, deluxe edition, numbered 30 of 250, sleeve and with am artist's letterhead note, "A Thread of Zen Fire/ Painted on the eve of the Chinese New Year of Keng Tse (the Rat) Title written on New Year's Day. This just indicates a fragment of tranquility in this turbulent world"
H: 72, W: 36 in. (sight); H: 75, W: 39 in. (frame)PROVENANCE:Fred H. Gowen, New York City, acquired from the artist
Thence by decent
LITERATURE: For a related painting, see Chen Chi, "Chen Chi, Watercolors, Drawings, Sketches", Rosemont, 1980, p.11