Zhang Daqian

1899 - 1983
Chinese

Scholars on the Cliff
ink and colour on paper

34 5/8 x 14 3/8 in, 87.9 x 36.5 cm

CAD

Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the Artist by Wang Yiling (Wong Ngai-Ling) (1881 - c.1955), Hong Kong, 1949
By descent to the present Private Collection, Vancouver

This lot will be previewed in Vancouver April 4-8, and in Toronto April 10-25.

Ink and colour on paper, mounted as a hanging scroll. Signed Daqian di Zhang Yuan, dated jichou (1949) in Haojiang, Macau, with a dedication to Wang Yiling (1881 - c.1955), Hong Kong, and two seals of the artist. Inscribed with the artist's well known poem of Huangshan (Mount Huang) to the top.

Born in 1881, Mr. Wang Yiling was a banker and director at the Kincheng Banking Corporation (Jincheng Yinhang) during the Republican Period (1911 - 1949). After returning from his studies in Japan, Mr. Wang held important positions at major cities including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hankou. During this time, he built an important collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy with the help of his close friends - many of whom were 20th century Chinese painting masters themselves, including Zhang Daqian and Chen Banding. Mr. Wang and his family later moved to Hong Kong where his art collection grew substantially in size and importance. After he passed away, his descendants began emigrating to Brazil, Taiwan, and the United States, bringing with them their father's collection. Mr. Wang's son Wang Yixian (1918 - 1979), later lived and worked closely with Zhang Daqian during his time in the famous ‘Bade Garden’ (Bade yuan), Brazil.

Zhang Daqian (Chang Dai-chien) is one of the most recognised impressionist Chinese artists of the 20th Century. Painting in a natural environment, he first trained in the traditional style of painting in Neijiang Sichuan where he mastered various techniques including his renowned 'splashed-ink' landscapes. Among the Chinese mountains and peaks he visited, he was especially fascinated by Huangshan (Mount Huang) - climbing its summit three times between 1927 and 1936. The Huangshan peak was an everlasting theme in Zhang's repertoire, and a subject he often repeated during his illustrious career from the 1920's to 1980's.

The present scroll is one of the embodiments of Zhang Daqian’s memory of Huangshan. In 1949, a few months before he left China for his internationally celebrated overseas life and career, the artist spent several months in Macau where he painted and 'left behind' this painting for his friend and ‘brother’ Wang Yiling (1881 - c.1955).

Unlike his paintings of similar landscapes of this style and subject, the present painting focuses on the scholar figures rather than the mountain peak itself. On their own, the numerous figures in this composition are a rare occurrence in the artist's oeuvre. When accompanied by the subtly rendered pine trees, a symbol of virtue and longevity, this painting emphasizes an artist's humanity and good wishes felt to a close friend - a fitting parting gift before he leaves his homeland.

Please note: the full scroll measures 77 x 20 3/4 inches.

All prices are in Canadian Dollars

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