QI BAISHI 齊白石 (Xiangtan, China, 1864 - 1957)

Grasshopper and wisteria

A study of a grasshopper perched atop a branch amongst vibrant wisteria flowers

Ink and colour on paper, mounted as a hanging scroll

Artist's colophon which reads Ji ping lao ren, with one artist's seal that reads Jie shan weng

With one collector's seal to lower left that reads Yang Longsheng zhencang ('collection of Yang Longsheng')

55cm high, 25cm wide

齊白石 紫藤蚱蜢

設色紙本 立軸

款識：寄萍老人

鈐印：「借山翁」

藏印：「楊隆生珍藏」

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PROVENANCE:

Property of a Gentleman, English Private Collection

來源：

士紳珍藏，私人英國收藏

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Born in 1864 to a poor family in Xiangtan, Hunan, Qi Baishi spent his early years teaching himself painting by studying the Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden. Later on he studied under the tutelage of Hu Qinyuan, and as part of his artistic training he learnt the fundamentals of gongbi, a meticulous, detailed style of painting. Despite this early training, Qi Baishi is renowned for his freely-expressive xieyi ('sketching thoughts') style. Qi also mastered calligraphy and seal-carving, and in his forties travelled in search of inspiration, eventually coming upon the Shanghai School where he met Wu Changshuo (1844-1927).

Qi Baishi expanded his subjects to include figures, animals, vegetation and landscapes, incorporating vibrant colours into his works and painting in an increasingly-free style. His works focus on the spiritual and ephemeral qualities of the human condition, whilst also retaining a sense of playfulness and humour.

Qi Baishi experienced fame and success during his lifetime, which has grown exponentially since his death in 1957 at the age of ninety-three. In 1953, the Ministry of Culture selected him as the Outstanding Artist of the Chinese People. One year later he was selected as the representative of the Chinese people, and attended the National People’s Congress. One year before his death, he was awarded the World Peace Prize by the World Peace Council. His works feature in major museums and collections across the globe.

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