Wu Changshuo (吴昌硕; September 12th 1844 - November 29th 1927) Chinese traditional Calligraphy couplet, ink on paper laid to silk, hanging scrolls. Signed and dated, at the 74th years of ages; in late winter of Dingsi year (ca. 1917) As a gift for Mr. Wu Guozhen's father, Wu Jingming, aka Shu Zhai. Each with seven semi-cursive script characters on pale-creme paper, one with signature and two seal marks. Laid on silk.
Bold thick marks are evenly spaced on two separate scrolls, by Wu Changshuo (1844-1927). Wu was raised in Wu Junqing, was a renowned painter, calligrapher and seal artist during the Qing dynasty. An exquisite example of Tao Shu calligraphy form. Tsao Shu calligraphers simplify the left side of each character and give more space and emphasis to the right side. Tsau Shu calligraphers write swiftly and use many sudden turns and dramatic movements. This style of characters looks more like abstract painting than writing. The writing is attached to a protective scroll. Two red artist seals are noted on one of the scrolls left edge.


Dimensions: Scroll Height: 67 7/8" Width: 17 1/8" Painting Height: 51 5/8" Width: 12 7/8"

PROVENANCE:
From the heirloom collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨; October 21, 1903-June 6, 1984) was a Chinese political figure and historian, government official who served as mayor of Hankow (1932-1938), mayor of Chung-king (1939-1941), political vice minister of foreign affairs (1943-45), mayor of Shanghai (1946-1948), and governor of Taiwan (1950-1952) and the former Chairman of Taiwan Provincial Government. He resigned in 1953 and went to the United States.

K.C. Wu lived in the United States where he served as professor of Chinese history at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. During his time in the United States, he wrote various works, including a detailed analysis on Chinese culture in the context of mythology and early history in his book The Chinese Heritage.

Wu is remembered mainly for his vital role in the formation of a liberal modern Taiwan and his anti-communist beliefs typical of a member of Kuomintang, but he is also remembered for his brave anti-Kuomintang rhetoric and turbulent disagreements with the more Russian-styled second President of Taiwan.

The Collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨) presented and offered up to auctions
ON DAY-1: from Lot-97 through Lot-127, continued from Lot-219 through Lot-255.
ON DAY-2: from Lot-354 through Lot-377, continued from Lot-451 through Lot-480.


LOT NOTES:
Wu Changshuo (吴昌硕; September 12th 1844 - November 29th 1927) born Wu Junqing, was a prominent painter, calligrapher and seal artist of the late Qing Period.
Wu was born into a scholarly family in Huzhou, Zhejiang. In his twenties, Wu moved to Jiangsu Province and settled down in Suzhou. Prior to the collapse of the Great Qing, he served as an imperial official in Liaoning.
Initially, he devoted himself to poetry and calligraphy with a strong interest in early scripts. He also led the Xiling Society of the Seal Art, an academic organization for Hangzhou-based seal artists. Only later did he consider himself a painter associated with the "Shanghai School." As a painter, he was noted for helping to rejuvenate the art of painting flowers and birds. He considered carving seals and doing paintings to be integrated to each other.
His work garnered him fame and was highly regarded in Japan.

Natural imperfection on the medium (paper or silk), regardless from any major damages; includes light blooms, discoloration and minor fading. Consider normal due to the ages.

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