Xu Beihong (1895-1953), Portrait of a Lady, Oil on canvas, 136.5 x 98 cm. Painted in 1939. Estimate: HK$20,000,000-25,000,000/ US$2,564,100-3,205,100. Christie's Images Ltd. 2007

HONG KONG.- One of the most iconic and significant portraits by Chinese master Xu Beihong, alongside signature pieces by some of the most celebrated Chinese artists, will be offered at Christie’s Hong Kong 20th Century Chinese Art sale on 27 May. Representing milestones in the development of Chinese art history, these superb pieces are destined to draw tremendous interest from international collectors. Xu Beihong (1895-1953) - The star lot of the sale, Portrait of a Lady, is an important large-scale work by Xu Beihong (1895-1953) executed during his Southeast Asia period (estimate: HK$20,000,000-25,000,000/ US$2,564,100-3,205,100).
Ever since his first visit to Singapore in 1925, Xu had kept a close connection with the overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Soon after the Sino-Japanese War broke out, Xu moved to Singapore. During his stay, he produced extraordinary portraits for well-known members of the Chinese community there.
The present work is one of two monumental portraits produced during this period, and arguably one of the most iconic portraits by the artist ever to appear on the market. Another work, Portrait of Governor Thomas, now resides in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Singapore. Xu donated proceeds from these works to help fund China’s war effort, adding historical significance to this piece.
The graceful Cantonese woman in the painting, Jenny, was a close friend of the vice consul of Belgium in Singapore, who commissioned Xu to create this work. Dressed in the long cheongsam fashionable in the 30s, the sitter reclines in a rattan-backed rocker unique to Southeast Asia and is wreathed in soft light from the window.
Painted in 1939, Portrait of a Lady best exemplifies the unrivalled style of Xu and the depth of his artistic achievement. While applying Western Realist technique to paint with rigorous attention to the details, Xu skillfully adopts the Eastern aesthetic approach in capturing the emotions and glamour of this elegant lady. This unmistakable combination of artistic elements captivates viewers with its lively yet lyrical appeal. More significantly, this allows Xu to break through the tradition and cliché of the European portrait. A new type of Eastern beauty fully distinct from both the Chinese and Western traditions at the time is brought to this exceptional canvas. Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=20070