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Lotus
Details
ZHANG DAQIAN (1899-1983)
Lotus
A set of six scrolls, mounted as a folding screen, ink on gold paper
156 x 349 cm. (61 3/8 x 137 3/8 in.) in full
Inscribed and signed, with five seals of the artist
Dated twelfth month, wuxu year (1958)
Dedicated to Xianqi (Tseng Hsien-chi, 1919-2000)
Lotus
A set of six scrolls, mounted as a folding screen, ink on gold paper
156 x 349 cm. (61 3/8 x 137 3/8 in.) in full
Inscribed and signed, with five seals of the artist
Dated twelfth month, wuxu year (1958)
Dedicated to Xianqi (Tseng Hsien-chi, 1919-2000)
Provenance
Christie's Hong Kong, Fine Modern and Contemporary Chinese Paintings, 28 April 2002, Lot 268.
Further Details
Painted on a traditional six-panel Japanese folding screen, Zhang Daqian exemplifies his superb mastery in depicting the lotus. He took on the challenge to paint an enormous composition across six panels on a relatively non-absorbent material. Standing upright on one side are a few long, slender lotus stems rendered in dark and diluted ink. One of them bends ever so slightly, showing the artist’s exceptional brush control. On the opposite side are layers of overlapping lotuses, their stems and leaves crisscrossing wildly as if a thunderstorm has just passed. The shiny and non-porous gold leaf prevented Zhang from creating a saturated effect as the gold leaf absorbed very little ink. However, it allows every brushstroke to shine through. At times echoing Shitao, Zhang’s brushstrokes manifest his strength and determination in a carefree, full-of-life spirit. The everchanging ink lotus is made even more striking against a backdrop of sumptuous gold, rendering the artist’s favourite subject at its most grand and luxurious.
Like many great masters in the Chinese ink tradition, Zhang Daqian was meticulous with his choice of painting materials. During the Spring of 1958, he travelled to Japan and placed a large order of pigments, papers and other materials. Precious and delicate, the present gold screen was likely one of his purchases from that trip. Zhang Daqian dedicated the lotus gold screen to Tseng Hsien-chi (1919-2000), a friend and fellow art connoisseur. Tseng became interested in art under his father’s influence. After graduating from the Central University in Nanjing, he went to further his studies in art history at Harvard University in 1946. He subsequently stayed in the United States and became the curator of Oriental Art at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. After Zhang moved to California, the two friends gathered on many occasions to share their love of art, especially Shitao paintings.
Like many great masters in the Chinese ink tradition, Zhang Daqian was meticulous with his choice of painting materials. During the Spring of 1958, he travelled to Japan and placed a large order of pigments, papers and other materials. Precious and delicate, the present gold screen was likely one of his purchases from that trip. Zhang Daqian dedicated the lotus gold screen to Tseng Hsien-chi (1919-2000), a friend and fellow art connoisseur. Tseng became interested in art under his father’s influence. After graduating from the Central University in Nanjing, he went to further his studies in art history at Harvard University in 1946. He subsequently stayed in the United States and became the curator of Oriental Art at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. After Zhang moved to California, the two friends gathered on many occasions to share their love of art, especially Shitao paintings.
Brought to you by
Carmen Shek Cerne (石嘉雯)
Vice President, Head of Department, Chinese Paintings