1951 QI BAISHI FLOWERS AND BEES PAINTING

拍品描述

Artist: Qi Baishi (1864-1957) FLOWERS AND BEES This lively composition depicts blossoming flowers rising among dark leaves and slender branches, accompanied by several bees hovering in flight. The flowers, rendered in brilliant vermilion, stand in sharp contrast to the rich black ink washes of the foliage. The energetic brushstrokes and spontaneous handling of ink create a sense of movement and immediacy that is characteristic of Qi Baishis mature works.The inscription indicates that the painting was executed when the artist was eighty-eight years old, placing the work among the late creations of his career. During this period, Qi?s paintings became increasingly simplified and expressive, relying upon the strength of brushwork and the emotional resonance of color rather than detailed description.Bees and flowers are traditional auspicious subjects in Chinese painting, symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and the arrival of spring. Qi Baishi frequently employed such themes, infusing ordinary plants and insects with vitality and poetic meaning. The hovering bees animate the composition, while the contrast between the bold black masses and brilliant red blossoms creates a powerful decorative effect.The work exemplifies the artist?s celebrated principle of balancing likeness and abstraction, capturing the spirit rather than the exact appearance of nature. Through a few seemingly effortless strokes, Qi Baishi conveys both the beauty of the natural world and the enduring vitality that made him one of the most influential Chinese painters of the twentieth century. Ink and color on paper, Ersebiao mount, Double Jingyan on top, Vertical Axis hanging scroll Painting (Sight): 69cm H x 33cm W Dated: In The Baishi's Eighty-Eigth years of age (1951) 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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