Ink and colour on paper. Wisiteria. Measurements motif 66.5x32.5 cm. Measurements hanging 132x41 cm.
Creases, stains. Wear.
Provenance: Mrs Hazel Elfwendahl (1923-2018), and thence by descent
來源:Hazel Elfwendahl夫人(1923-2018)舊藏,並由後人保存迄今
Hazel Elfwendahl (1923-2018) was wife of Bo Elfwendahl (1928-2004) Sweden's Vice Consul with the Royal Swedish Consulate in Hong Kong 1957-1962. During their diplomatic posting to Hong Kong, Mrs Elfwendahl took great interest and acquired during these years a deeper knowledge into Chinese art, and also an opportunity to peruse painting and calligraphy studies for the Chinese Master, Mrs Chow Leung Chen Ying. Mrs Elfwendahl's keen interest established several friendships with Hong Kong art collectors.
To see other paintings sold from this collection see, Bukowskis Auction, lot no 683-685.
Also see another painting from the same collection at Bonhams, Fine Chinese Art, November 3rd, lot no 212.
Qi Baishi (1864-1957) is perhaps the most famous Chinese artist of the 20th century. He is noted for his whimsical, playful, and seemingly simple style of painting. Born to a peasant family from Xiangtan, Hunan, Qi became a carpenter at 14, and learned to paint by himself. When he came across the 'Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting', that sparked his interest to paint. He did not start learning painting and calligraphy until he was 27. After he turned 40, he travelled, visiting various scenic spots in China. After 1917 he settled in Beijing. Qi is known for the freshness and spontaneity that he brought to the familiar genres of birds and flowers, insects and grasses, hermit-scholars and landscapes.
Compare with a similar painting of pumpkins and grasshopper, by Qi Baishi, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 8 July 2020, lot 1081.