Wang Hui (1632-1717), Album of Landscapes (detail). Estimate HK $ 7 million - 10 million (€ 800,000 - 1.1 million). Photo: Bonhams.

HONG KONG.- An album of 17th century Chinese landscape paintings, each leaf with the seal and inscription of the Qianlong Emperor is to be sold in Bonhams Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy sale in Hong Kong on 31 May. It is estimated at £600,000–850,000 (HK$7,000,000–10,000,000). 

The ten leaves which make up the album were the work of the master painter Wang Hui (1632– 1717) and each painting is a homage to the artistic styles of earlier painters who worked during the Song and Yuan dynasties (10th–14th centuries). The artist was one of the most celebrated of his day, serving as court painter under the Kangxi Emperor (reigned 1662–1772), grandfather of the Quinlong Emperor (reigned 1735–1796). He was a principal figure of the 17th century orthodox movement of Chinese painting, which drew on early painting models as inspiration. 

Wang Hui fixed his personal inscription and seal to each painting with the first and last leaf dated 1698 and later collectors added their seals, most notably the Qianlong Emperor who is considered to have amassed one of the greatest collection of art the world has known. Under the emperor’s patronage, the Qianlong period was characterised by high artistic achievement, reflecting his great personal interest in all the arts. Among his vast collection, the Wang Hui album was a prized possession and the Emperor’s seals on the individual paintings often indicate when and where he viewed it. Each of the ten leaves also bears a poem hand written by the Emperor in 1773, indicating the special value he placed on these works. 

Bonhams Director of Chinese art in New York, Bruce MacLaren, said, “This exquisite album by Wang Hui is an outstanding example of early Qing dynasty painting and a fascinating exploration of Chinese imperial art collecting and appreciation. The album’s numerous collectors’ seals trace a nearly unbroken lineage of important owners who cherished it as a treasured possession.” 

Writing in the Spring 2015 edition of Bonhams Magazine, the former curator of Chinese Collections at the British Library, Frances Wood, emphasised the album’s importance to the emperor. “The emperor decided where works or art should be stored. The pieces he valued most highly were intended to be carefully tucked away but it is clear from the seals printed on the Wang Hui album over time that the stored treasure were brought out for appreciation on special occasions.”

Wang Hui (1632-1717), Album of Landscapes. Estimate HK $ 7 million - 10 million (€ 800,000 - 1.1 million). Photo: Bonhams.