China. Ink and watercolors on paper, mounted as a hanging scroll. Expressively painted with a rat clambering towards the top of the overhanging handle of a basket filled with ripe peaches, the painting surrounded by numerous inscriptions and seal mark.

Inscriptions:
The colophon with the poem Yangzhou Zayong calligraphed by Pu Jin (1893-1966), with two seals, one reading 'Xuezhai hanmo', and signed 'Pu Jin'. The painting, upper right, with a poem calligraphed by Qi Baishi, 'The Grand Chancellor has resigned from office and returned home. He has no money in his pocket. Better to become a thief than an accomplice'; three seals, 'Muren,' 'Baishi,' and 'Qi Baishi.' Further artist signatures and seals include, 'Shu Shou', 'Tang Di [1878-1948]', 'Gao Qianzi [1877-1956]', Chen Yungao [1877-1965]', 'Chen Banding [1876-1970]', 'Chen Zengshou [1878-1949]', and 'Xu Zonghao [1880-1957]'.

Provenance: From a Swedish private collection, by repute acquired from a Swedish art gallery about fifteen years ago as payment for financial services rendered.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, little creasing, and few small stains.

Dimensions: Image size 102.5 x 44.8 cm, Size incl. mounting 201 x 59.6 cm

Qi Baishi (1864-1957) is one of the world's most important artists of the 20th century and has received countless honors and awards like no other painter in the People's Republic of China. He began his career as a carpenter, though he taught himself to paint using a manual from the Qin dynasty period. His style, which Qi Baishi developed in the second half of his life, is characterized by a powerful, spontaneous brushstroke. He expanded his subject matter to insects, birds, figures, animals, vegetation, and landscapes, and began to incorporate rich color into his compositions, painting in an ever-freer style. His works are focused on the spiritual, ephemeral, and mystical qualities of the human condition. In 1953, he was elected president of the China Artists Association, and one year later he was elected to the National People's Congress.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2015, lot 1232
Price: HKD 1,840,000 or approx. EUR 258,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Pomegranate, Peaches and Butterflies, Qi Baishi (1863-1957)
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, manner of painting, and calligraphic text. Note the size (136 x 44.6 cm).