China, 1978. Ink and watercolors on paper. Freely painted with a duckling observing a humming bee under a low-hanging branch of wisteria issuing violet, pink, and blue flowers.

Inscriptions: Upper right, signed 'Lou Shibai' and dated 'In the winter of 1978'. One seal of the artist, 'Shibai'.

Provenance: Stockholm Auktionsverk, 7 June 2018, lot 276, sold for a hammer price of SEK 19,000 at the time, which is equivalent to circa EUR 3,000 including buyer's premium, converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing. A private collector in Europe, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, little soiling, light creasing.

Dimensions: Image size 136.5 x 68.5 cm, Size incl. frame 169 x 84.2 cm

Lou Shibai (1918-2010) was a Chinese painter born in Beijing. He was Qi Baishi's apprentice for 25 years, learning the arts of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving at his master's home from age 14 until Baishi's death in 1957. He is considered an important successor of Qi Baishi who nonetheless was innovative in his own themes and techniques.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: China Guardian, Beijing, 15 September 2012, lot 15
Price: CNY 184,000 or approx. EUR 29,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Wisteria and Duck (1984), Lou Shibai (1918-2010)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related motif. Note the size (103 x 56 cm)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: China Guardian, Beijing, 17 December 2011, lot 617
Price: CNY 97,750 or approx. EUR 15,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: Duck and Wisteria, Lou Shibai (1918-2010)
Expert remark: Compare the closely related motif. Note the size (97 x 60 cm)