Classic ink painting fetches $35m in auction
Updated: 2016-06-06 07:17
By Lin Qi(China Daily)
|
||||||||
The God of Cloud and Great Lord of Fate by Fu Baoshi. [Photo provided to China Daily] |
The God of Cloud and Great Lord of Fate, dated 1954, was estimated to be worth 180 million yuan before the sale at Beijing Poly International Auction on Saturday.
Zhao Xu, executive director of the auction house, said the winning bid was made by a Chinese mainland collector over the phone. He did not release a name.
The sum paid for the 3-meter-long painting, which has been in the Fu family for generations, was equal to the record for the artist's work. In 2011, an album of eight ink and color paintings inspired by late Chinese leader Mao Zedong's poems in the mid-1960s sold for the same price.
The God of Cloud and Great Lord of Fate demonstrates Fu's investment in capturing classical subject matter, such as court ladies, and in revolutionizing ink art.
In the painting, he visualizes a section of the Chu Ci poetry collection that is believed to have been composed by legendary poet Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
Fu portrays two fairies mentioned in verse: the Great Lord of Fate, who decides a person's life span; and the God of Cloud, who controls the wind, rain, thunder and lightning. The latter is thought by many scholars to be a man, although author and historian Guo Moruo argued that it should be a woman.
The artist went with Guo's opinion and gave the fairy a feminine appearance, not only because they were friends for more than three decades, but also because Guo's research greatly influenced his work.
Also, by paring the two gods as lovers, Fu presents the sublime imagination and romanticism that also features in many of his other paintings of classical figures. The painter produced several works themed on the two fairies, although the whereabouts of only three are known.
Zhao said the sale will give a boost to the market for Chinese paintings and calligraphy.
The market has dipped in recent years due to a slowdown in the Chinese economy. However, at the same auction on Saturday, a Buddhist-themed ink painting by Zhang Daqian fetched 63.8 million yuan.
Related:
Christie's spring auctions net HK$2.8 billion
Put on your sunglasses for 'sexy' pinot noir
- Suspected IS terrorists arrested in Germany
- Japanese boy abandoned by parents in Hokkaido forest found alive
- China to build Africa's biggest university library
- 'Kill list' found in UCLA campus shooter's residence: Police
- Swiss declare Alps tamed as Gotthard rail tunnel opens
- China urges Japan to properly settle Chinese forced laborers issue
- The world's most striking images: May 30 - June 5
- Djokovic conquers Roland Garros to join tennis pantheon
- Students receive gaokao cheers in east China
- Students use creative ways to relieve gaokao stress
- Frederik the Great: Is it a horse or a stunning statue?
- How mahjong can improve your chances with English
- Shanghai's 3D printing expo attracts over 100 companies
- Traditional incense production in Nyemo county, China's Tibet
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Abe's blame game reveals his policies failing to get results
Ending wildlife trafficking must be policy priority in Asia
Effects of supply-side reform take time to be seen
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi to meet Kerry
Chinese stocks surge on back of MSCI rumors
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |