Ink and gold leaf on paper, with silk brocade frame
Taiwan, 1981
Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) – One of the most important painters of the 20th century
With four seals
Symbols of fortune and birthday wishes as well as of a long life (Shou)
Overall dimensions: 169 x 50 cm (height x width)
Dimensions of the image: 71 x 39.5 cm
Good condition
Provenance: from the collection of a German couple, which was associated with Beijing artists from the 1950s onwards. A photograph of the couple taken with Chang Dai-Chien (Zhang Daqian) can be found with the pictures of this lot

This rare scroll painting was painted in Taiwan with ink on paper by the master Zhang Dagian (1899-1983) in 1981. He presented it as a personal birthday gift to its previous owners – see the image of the artist with the couple.



At the center of the image is the symbol “Shou” shown, which stands for a long life. There are seals in white and red in the upper right corner, at the center of the right area and along the left hand side. The background is rendered in bright red and there is partial decorative ornamentation in gold leaf. The work is framed by a silk brocade frame in mustard yellow. At the top is a mounting with ribbons attached.



The work is generally in good condition with minor traces of age and wear. The painting shows some small folds. The mounting shows some restoration, at one side a small crack and the silk shows some flaws. The overall dimensions are 169 x 50 cm, the dimensions of the image 71 x 39.5 cm.



Chang Dai-chien (1899-1983)

Born 1899 in China, Chang Dai-chien moved to Tokyo when only 18 years old to learn the art of printing and dyeing textiles. He returned to China two years later and began to study calligraphy, literature and painting in Shanghai. After a short break during which Chang Dai-chien turned to Buddhism and became a monk, he returned to painting but kept his monk name Dai-chien. In 1936 he became a professor at the university in Nanjing. He was acquainted with many of the numerous schools of painting existing in China and was also influenced by western art as he spent several years abroad. During those years, it is known that he has met Pablo Picasso and exchanged pieces of art with him. Chang Dai-chien was one of China’s most important and best known artists of the 20th Century and his paintings fetch record prices at international auctions.

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