Verdant Mountains and Layered Peaks After Rain

Verdant Mountains and Layered Peaks After Rain is created by Zhang Daqian's signature splashed ink and colour in the 1960s, where the inks of green, blue, and black amalgamate seamlessly to become an entirety. The scale of this painting is an ambitious statement in which Zhang exudes his confidence on being able to splash ink in a bold, carefree yet controlled manner on a very large piece of paper. The interplay between light and darkness on the painting reveals the artist's genius and creativity in his interpretation of the relationships between the sky, the mountains, and their shadows. He further painted houses and pavilions to emulate the mood of a literati painting, creating a landscape where viewers can live and journey within it.

The painting is dedicated to Mr. Xie Shoukang and his wife Madam Xiayi. Xie Shoukang (1897-1973), sobriquet Cipeng, was a native of Jiangxi province. An influential academic, Xie occupied many important positions in both the academic and diplomatic arenas internationally. As early as the 1910s he went to study in universities in Belgium and France, hence establishing a lifelong connection with Europe. In 1929, Xie returned to China and became Chairman of the Humanities Department at the National Central University, formerly in Nanjing. Later he was appointed as Chinese Consul in Belgium and envoy to the Vatican for China. In 1949, he moved to Hong Kong, and subsequently to the United States, where he became Assistant Professor of drama at the esteemed Columbia University in New York City. In his pastime, Xie enjoyed Chinese paintings and calligraphy and especially admired the works of Song poets Su Shi and Wen Tong.