1952 QI BAISHI PERSIMMONS PAINTING

拍品描述

Artist: Qi Baishi (1864-1957) PERSIMMONS This lively composition depicts a cluster of ripe persimmons hanging amid twisting branches and tangled vines. Executed with vigorous brushwork, the painting combines broad washes of ink with touches of warm orange-red pigment to create a striking contrast between the dark foliage and the glowing fruit. The freely flowing lines of the vines enliven the composition, giving the work a spontaneous energy characteristic of Qi Baishi's mature style.The artist intentionally simplifies natural forms, reducing them to their essential shapes while preserving their vitality. The bold black ink masses of the leaves and branches are balanced by the warm tones of the persimmons, producing a dynamic interplay between solidity and movement. The inscription, written in expressive calligraphy, further enhances the visual rhythm of the composition.Persimmons hold auspicious meanings in Chinese culture, symbolizing good fortune, fulfillment, and the realization of wishes. Their pronunciation, shi, is associated with the character for affairs or matters, making them traditional emblems of success and prosperity. Such symbolic subjects frequently appear in Qi Baishis work, where everyday objects become vehicles for blessings and auspicious wishes.Paintings of fruit subjects occupy an important position within Qi Baishis oeuvre. Through his distinctive synthesis of folk traditions, calligraphic brushwork, and personal observation, he revitalized traditional Chinese painting and established a highly individual artistic language. This work exemplifies the freshness, spontaneity, and expressive power that have made Qi Baishi one of the most admired masters of modern Chinese art. Ink and color on paper, Yisebiao mount, Vertical Axis Hanging Scroll Painting (Sight): 68cm H x 34cm W Dated: In The Baishi's Eighty-Nine years of age (1952) Signed/Seal(s): Signed, with a seal PROVENANCE: Acquired from a prominent collector, representing an important private collections. The collections presented and offered up to auctions from Lot 25 through Lot 136; and additional related documents and or manuscripts from Lot 137 to Lot 228. Wei Tao-Ming (Wei Daoming), (October 28, 1899 - May 18, 1978) was a prominent Chinese diplomat, statesman, and senior official of the Republic of China. Born in Jiangxi Province, he studied law in the United States and became active in the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek. During the Second World War, Wei served as the Republic of China's Ambassador to the United States from 1942 to 1946, playing an important role in strengthening Sino-American relations during the Allied war effort. He later held several key government positions, including Governor of Taiwan Province (1947-1949), Ambassador to Japan, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China from 1966 to 1971. Wei remained an influential figure in Chinese diplomacy throughout the mid-twentieth century and was closely involved in the Republic of China's international affairs during a period of major political transition in East Asia. ARTIST BIO: Qi Baishi (1864-1957) was one of the most celebrated Chinese painters of the twentieth century and is widely regarded as a master of modern Chinese ink painting. Born into a peasant family in Xiangtan, Hunan province, he was largely self-taught and initially worked as a carpenter before devoting himself entirely to painting, seal carving, and calligraphy.Drawing inspiration from nature and everyday life, Qi developed a highly personal artistic style characterized by bold brushwork, simplified forms, and vibrant color. He became especially renowned for his depictions of shrimp, crabs, insects, birds, flowers, vegetables, and other humble subjects, transforming ordinary objects into lively and poetic images.Qi Baishi advocated the principle that painting should balance resemblance and abstraction, famously stating that ?too much likeness becomes vulgar, while too little becomes deceptive.? His works combine the expressive spirit of literati painting with the vitality of folk art, creating an artistic language that is both sophisticated and accessible.In addition to his achievements as a painter, Qi was an accomplished calligrapher and seal carver. His seal designs and inscriptions often form an integral part of his compositions, contributing to their overall rhythm and character. During his lifetime he received widespread recognition, including honors from the Chinese government, and his works continue to command strong interest among collectors and museums worldwide.

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