Watercolor and ink on paper roll, featuring mountainous landscape, signed and attr. Wu Guanzhong (Chinese, 1919-2010), inscribed with 1 artist seal, 32 x 178 cm. Wu Guanzhong blended his training in both Chinese ink and brushwork and Western oil-painting styles into a unique form of modern art epitomized by his acclaimed landscapes, many of which verged on abstraction. Wu graduated (1942) from the National Academy of Art (now the China Academy of Art) in Hangzhou and studied (1947–50) at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was influenced by European painters such as Vincent van Gogh, Maurice Utrillo, and Amedeo Modigliani. Wu returned to China in 1950, but the government condemned his figure paintings, notably his many nudes, and during the early years of the Cultural Revolution (1966–76), he was sent to the country as a labourer. He was allowed to return to painting in the early 1970s, and by 1978 his works were being featured in the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing. Wu taught at many schools, including the CAFA and Tsinghua University, Beijing, and he participated in exhibitions in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, the U.S., and Britain, notably at the British Museum, where in 1992 he was the first living Chinese artist to be exhibited.

All authorship of items in this catalog are described according to the following terms:

By [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work is by the artist.

Attributed to [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work may be ascribed to the artist on the basis of style, but there may be some question as to actual authorship.

In the manner of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but was designed deliberately to emulate the style of the artist.

After [Artist Name] : In our opinion, the work was executed by an unknown hand, but is a deliberate copy of a known work by the artist.

Circle of [Artist Name] : In our opinion, a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil.

Follower of [Artist Name]: In our opinion, a work by a pupil or a follower of the artist (not necessarily a pupil).

American, 19th century : In our opinion, this work was executed by an unknown hand, and can only be identified by origin (i.e., region, period).

Bears signature : In our opinion, the signature on the artwork may be spurious.
Apocryphal : Of doubtful authenticity.