This autumn will see Sotheby’s present a spectacular sale of Fine Chinese Paintings at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will be comprised of 325 items that are collectively worth an estimated HK$170 million (approximately £13.7 million).
Particular highlights of the sale include Fu Baoshi’s intensely executed Landscape after Shitao, as well as his inspirational Lady at the Pavilion; three paintings by Lin Fengmian – Four Beauties, Seated Lady in the Garden and Cockscomb; and a mesmerising selection of lotus-themed paintings, which have long been the fascination of Chinese artists and poets.
“Also worthy of note are the remarkable examples of the Lingnan School of Painting this season, both in quality and quantity,” added C.K. Cheung, head of Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Paintings Department.
“We are delighted to present many of the mid-period works by Zhao Shao’ang, including paintings executed in the early 1950s when the artist was preparing for an exhibition in south-east Asia. The works combine sound perspective with unique composition, embracing an idiosyncratic style that dates back to the period of Zhao’s artistic maturity.”
It’s not all about sales though, as the auction house is also holding a special three-day exhibition of Zhang Daqian’s paintings between October 5th and 8th, which have kindly been borrowed from You Ti Tang’s private collection.
The late Daqian is considered one of China’s most gifted and prodigious artists of the twentieth century, who was not only prolific in his output, but stylistically diverse. He easily floated between work of art that echoed the ancient masters, as well as producing more contemporary works that saddled him alongside America’s Abstract Expressionists.
Last year marked a particular highlight for the artist, and indeed, the art world in general. Daqian was 2011’s top-selling artist at auction, according to the research firm Artprice, which had been dominated by the seemingly unconquerable Pablo Picasso, who had been number one for 13 of the last 14 years.
Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Paintings Autumn Sale at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre takes place on October 8th.
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