.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Yu Dafu, native of Zhejiang, also known as Yu Wen, was a renowned 20th century novelist, essayist and poet. In 1938, Yu came to Singapore and became the editor for the Arts and Culture at Sin Chew Daily for three years, during which he published over 400 political commentaries on war resistance towards Japan. In 1941 Yu fled Singapore to Sumatra but was later executed by the Japanese troops.
Yu Dafu was a great supporter of the arts. While in Singapore he frequently met with artists Xu Beihong and Liu Haisu, and became acquainted with Chew Lian Seng to whom he gifted the current work. The calligraphy is a poem composed by Yu Dafu in 1920 and is dedicated to a maid who worked in the guest house which Yu resided in Kyoto. The verses exude a sense of subdued romantic longing and tenderness. Yu continued to maintain a close relationship with her during the latter part of his stay in Japan.
Known for his novels and essays, Yu’s calligraphy is extremely rare. The current piece, which has been owned by the Chew family for eight decades, will serve as a great contribution to further appreciate Yu Dafu’s literary contribution.
Yu Dafu was a great supporter of the arts. While in Singapore he frequently met with artists Xu Beihong and Liu Haisu, and became acquainted with Chew Lian Seng to whom he gifted the current work. The calligraphy is a poem composed by Yu Dafu in 1920 and is dedicated to a maid who worked in the guest house which Yu resided in Kyoto. The verses exude a sense of subdued romantic longing and tenderness. Yu continued to maintain a close relationship with her during the latter part of his stay in Japan.
Known for his novels and essays, Yu’s calligraphy is extremely rare. The current piece, which has been owned by the Chew family for eight decades, will serve as a great contribution to further appreciate Yu Dafu’s literary contribution.