An Old Fisherman

According to the inscriptions, this painting was gifted by Qi Baishi to Wang Shenbo in 1932. Wang was also a friend of Zhao Shao’ang’s. Zhao visited Beijing in 1934, and it should be the time when Wang gifted this painting to Zhao, who took it to Guangdong province. The painting was well-preserved through the war, and Zhao later gifted it to Mr. Chao Tsin, who was a well-known engraver. Zhao stayed with Chao Tsin’s family from time to time throughout their friendship that spanned more than fifty years. For instance, in 1943 they lived together in the Pine Forest in Chongqing, and in 1945 in Hong Kong. During these sojourns, Chao Tsin enthusiastically promoted exhibitions of Zhao’s work. In return, Chao and his family were often given their choice of works by Zhao. This painting takes its place amongst the group of paintings gifted to the Chao family, testifying to the provenance of the work.