Watercolor and ink on paper roll, featuring praying mantis, signed and attr. Zhao Shaoang (Chinese, 1905-1998), inscribed with 1 artist seal, 32 x 43 cm. Zhao Shao’ang was a Chinese artist considered one of the best flower-and-bird painter of his era. Blending impressionistic brushstrokes, blurred areas of color, and moments of descriptive line, Zhao created a sense of animation in all of his subjects. Born in 1905 in Panyu, China, he studied painting under Gao Qifeng as teenager and became a teacher at Fushan Art Academy by the age of 23. The artist went on to found the Lingnan Art Studio in Guangzhou in 1930. Settling in Hong Kong, Zhao was the subject of solo exhibitions in China, Portugal, and New Zealand. The artist died in 1998 in Hong Kong. Today, his works are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. PROVENANCE: Property of a gentleman (East Toronto, Canada)

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.