Landscape Painting on Silk by Gong Xian.龔賢

PROVENANCE:From the family of Wang Anfu (1913–2005) and her husband, Liu Huanzeng (1908–1989), descendants of the renowned Republican-era statesman and diplomat Dr. Chengting T. Wang (Wang Zhengting, 1882–1961). Dr. Wang held several key posts in the Republic of China, including delegate to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador to the United States in the 1930s. He was also a strong advocate for Chinese art and heritage, notably supporting the preservation and promotion of the Dunhuang frescoes during the early 1940s.Wang Anfu and Liu Huanzeng, both scholars from Yenching University (later Peking University), shared a lifelong commitment to cultural preservation. Liu’s father, the respected scholar Liu Shuping (1857–1917), maintained close ties with major artists such as Zhang Daqian, adding further depth to the family’s cultural background.In 1949, Dr. Wang relocated to Hong Kong, where he continued his diplomatic and philanthropic work. Wang Anfu and Liu Huanzeng later joined him, caring for him until his passing, before eventually emigrating to the United States. This provenance reflects a distinguished lineage rooted in scholarship, diplomacy, and enduring dedication to the preservation of Chinese cultural heritage.