Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Boating Among Cliffs, 1974

20 décembre 2017

Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Boating Among Cliffs, 1974

Lot 1031. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Boating Among Cliffs, 1974. Estimate $200,000 - 300,000. Sold for US$ 372,500 (€314,478) inc. premium. © Bonhams 2001-2017

Ink and color on paper, laid down on wood board, mounted and framed, inscribed with a poem, dated liu shi san nian jiayin er yue (1974, second month), dedicated to Daoshi wu xiong and Zhong Qi fu ren and signed Daqian Zhang Yuan, with five artist's seals reading Huanbi'an, Zhang Yuan zhi yin, Daqian Jushi, yizhiyan, and san qian Daqian. 53 x 27 1/4in (134.6 x 69.2cm).

Provenance: acquired directly from the artist, thereafter by descent

From the Collection of Henry Tao-Sze Hsia (1923-2003)

Note: Dr. Henry Tao-Sze Hsia (Xia Daoshi 夏道師, 1923-2003) was an aerospace engineer and research scientist. Born to the prominent Republic era legal scholar and adjudicator Xia Qin (夏勤, 1892-1950), Dr. Hsia obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at the National Chiao Tung University in Shanghai (now the Shanghai Jiaotong University 上海交通大學) before emigrating to the United States in 1947, and subsequently obtained his Master's and Ph.D at Harvard and Stanford Universities, respectively. After relocating with his family to the Northern California Bay Area in 1957, Dr. Hsia worked as an engineer and consultant for such companies as Lockheed and General Electric.

After a Peking Opera performance in the mid 1970s; Dr. Henry Tao-Sze Hsia at far left, Zhang Daqian at third from the right. Photo captions: Dr. Henry Tao-Sze Hsia

In addition to his many scientific achievements documented in publications and patents, Dr. Hsia held a deep appreciation for Chinese art and culture, and promoted Chinese culture by establishing a local Chinese Cultural Association and Chinese language school, as well as teaching Chinese history at the local community college. He led, and was an active member of, the Bay Area Chinese Society of Performing Arts. During his lifetime, Dr. Hsia and his wife Zhong Qi befriended and hosted many prominent Chinese scholars and artists, most notably Zhang Daqian, Hu Shi, Yu Youren, and Hou Beiren. In the early 1970s, Dr. Hsia and Zhang Daqian established a close acquaintance, the two sharing a love of traditional Peking opera. It was during the Hsia family's visits to Zhang Daqian's Monterey residence Huanbi'an when Dr. Hsia was gifted paintings by Zhang. Dr. Hsia treasured his collection of paintings and ceramics, and delighted in showing them to friends and students alike. Selected paintings from the Henry Tao-Sze Hsia collection are being offered by members of his family.

Bonhams. FINE ASIAN WORKS OF ART, 18 Dec 2017, 11:00 PST -+ SAN FRANCISCO