QI BAISHI PERSIMMONS AND CHESTNUTS PAINTING

拍品描述

Artist: Qi Baishi (1864-1957) PERSIMMONS AND CHESTNUTS This delightful composition depicts clusters of chestnuts rendered in rich black ink with touches of crimson, accompanied by several green persimmons arranged at the lower right. The artist employs bold, abbreviated brushstrokes and fluid washes, reducing the forms to their essential character while preserving their natural vitality. The inscription includes the phrase (May everything go according to your wishes), a traditional auspicious blessing.In Chinese culture, persimmons symbolize good fortune and the fulfillment of wishes, as the word shi is a homophone for shi, meaning affairs or matters. The combination of fruit and blessing transforms the painting into a visual expression of prosperity, success, and happiness. Such auspicious subjects were among Qi Baishis favorite themes, particularly in his later years.Executed with vigorous calligraphic brushwork, the chestnuts appear almost abstract, while the persimmons are described with only a few strokes of color. The contrast between dark ink masses and the muted green fruit creates a striking decorative balance. The inscription and painting function together as both image and blessing, embodying the artist?s ability to unite poetry, calligraphy, and painting.Works of this type represent Qi Baishis mature style, in which spontaneity, simplicity, and expressive power take precedence over detailed realism. Through a seemingly effortless arrangement of fruit and inscription, the artist conveys both the pleasures of everyday life and the traditional Chinese wish for prosperity and good fortune. Ink and color on paper, Yisebiao mount, Vertical Axis hanging scroll Painting (Sight): 69cm H x 33cm W 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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