19th C. Qing Dynasty, Wang Su (王素; 1894-1877) Chinese traditional scroll painting, grisaille ink on paper laid to silk, hanging scroll. Signed.
Title: lady in leisure within landscape
Glorious painting of a richly adorned female playing the Xiao flute, by Wang Su (王素; 1794-1877). The figure is reposed by the window sill intently plating the flute. Outside the window a wispy tree sways to the breeze as if dancing to the sultry tune. A scholar stone is placed in the foreground. This painting is attached to a long scroll. Semi-cursive script calligraphy is found on left edge followed by an official red seal. One more red seal is in the bottom right hand corner.


Dimensions: Scroll Height: 74 3/8" Width: 19 1/4" Painting Height: 37 5/8" Width: 10 7/8"

PROVENANCE:
From the heirloom collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨; October 21, 1903-June 6, 1984) was a Chinese political figure and historian, government official who served as mayor of Hankow (1932-1938), mayor of Chung-king (1939-1941), political vice minister of foreign affairs (1943-45), mayor of Shanghai (1946-1948), and governor of Taiwan (1950-1952) and the former Chairman of Taiwan Provincial Government. He resigned in 1953 and went to the United States.

K.C. Wu lived in the United States where he served as professor of Chinese history at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. During his time in the United States, he wrote various works, including a detailed analysis on Chinese culture in the context of mythology and early history in his book The Chinese Heritage.

Wu is remembered mainly for his vital role in the formation of a liberal modern Taiwan and his anti-communist beliefs typical of a member of Kuomintang, but he is also remembered for his brave anti-Kuomintang rhetoric and turbulent disagreements with the more Russian-styled second President of Taiwan.

The Collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨) presented and offered up to auctions
ON DAY-1: from Lot-97 through Lot-127, continued from Lot-219 through Lot-255.
ON DAY-2: from Lot-354 through Lot-377, continued from Lot-451 through Lot-480.


LOT NOTES:
Wang Su (王素; 1894-1877) is a figure painter with a comprehensive artistic ability and a combination of traditional skills and foreign experience. Many handed down works, figure painting achievements
Wang Su, sobriquet names Xiaomei and Xunzhi, was a native of Jiangsu. He studied painting with Bao Jitian when he was young, and also took after the style of Hua Yan. Wang was specially good at figures, animals, birds, flowers, insects and fishes. At the start of the Daoguang era (19th century), Wang ranked as one of the best painters of his time with Wei Xiaomian and Wang Yingxiang. Dissatisfied with his calligraphy, Wang would practice every morning by writing several hundred characters, and this continued until he was old. Wang was also a seal carver, but again, his fame as a painter overshadowed his other endeavors. Wang died aged eighty-four. For brief biographies, see Zhongguo Meishujia Renming Cidian, Shanghai Renmin Meishu Chubanshe, 1981, p.99

Natural imperfection on the medium (paper or silk), regardless from any major damages; includes light blooms, discoloration and minor fading. Consider normal due to the ages.

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