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Lot Essay
The owner of the Qing Xiang Lou collection, Chow Wei Yu, is a native of Zhejiang, Ningbo. With a deep interest in painting from young, Chow was particularly adept in painting orchids and bamboo, and studied under the mentorship of Gu Qingyao (1896 - 1978) in 1953, as well as Gao Yihong (1908 - 1982) and Huang Junbi (1898 - 1991) in 1957 and 1961 respectively. Apart from painting and calligraphy, Chow also held a deep affection for Peking Opera, and became an apprentice to famous opera singer, the great Meng Xiaodong (1908 - 1977). Chow and Meng's relationship extended beyond a teacher-student relationship, and were great friends for many years. Their mutual respect and affection towards each other was evident during Meng's 50th birthday, where Chow arranged a party for her at Chow's abode.
Due to the turmoils of war and subsequent political events in China, many Shanghainese families migrated to Hong Kong post 1949. Meng settled in the Embassy Building on Hoi Ping road, opposite the former clubhouse of the Min Chiu Society, where Li Zhulai and his wife, Li Deying, also resided. Such proximity enabled Chow to meet Li, and through Li and Meng, Zhang Daqian. Zhang's would visit Meng's home in Hong Kong during his sojourns to the city - under the accompaniment of Ren Shenshou (1913 - 1996), they sang together while Ren accompanied them on the erhu (the Chinese two string fiddle) until Meng moved to Taiwan. Ren and Chow's bond was so close that Ren's daughter regarded Chow as her Godmother. Zhang was also close to the Li family, in particular his wife, who shared similar interests in art and culture, and organised exhibitions and the sale of his artwork in Hong Kong. Thus it was not surprising that the Chow, Meng and Li family collected a significant number of works by Zhang Daqian.
This current piece Lady with a Puppy in Splashed-ink (Lot 2149) is a great example of the bond and friendship between Zhang and the different families. Lady with a Puppy in Splashed-ink was inspired by a Pekingnese owned by the Li family which Zhang was very fond of, with an added splashed-ink composition making this piece exceptionally unique. A twist to the story was when this painting surfaced in our Hong Kong saleroom in 1996 - Chow chanced upon this sentimental piece and purchased it immediately without hesitation.
With regards to Peonies (Lot 2150) and Lotus (Lot 2151), were gifts to Ren Shenshou for visiting Zhang in Taiwan. Taking lines from the Tang dynasty poet Li Zhengfeng, Zhang emphasises the delicacy and aroma of peonies and dedicates the piece to Ren. He later gifts Ren with Lotus in 1982, yet another piece filled with sentimental value and historical significance - gifted to Chow by Ren, these two paintings reinforce Chow and Ren's close friendship, yet another testament to their close bond.
Due to the turmoils of war and subsequent political events in China, many Shanghainese families migrated to Hong Kong post 1949. Meng settled in the Embassy Building on Hoi Ping road, opposite the former clubhouse of the Min Chiu Society, where Li Zhulai and his wife, Li Deying, also resided. Such proximity enabled Chow to meet Li, and through Li and Meng, Zhang Daqian. Zhang's would visit Meng's home in Hong Kong during his sojourns to the city - under the accompaniment of Ren Shenshou (1913 - 1996), they sang together while Ren accompanied them on the erhu (the Chinese two string fiddle) until Meng moved to Taiwan. Ren and Chow's bond was so close that Ren's daughter regarded Chow as her Godmother. Zhang was also close to the Li family, in particular his wife, who shared similar interests in art and culture, and organised exhibitions and the sale of his artwork in Hong Kong. Thus it was not surprising that the Chow, Meng and Li family collected a significant number of works by Zhang Daqian.
This current piece Lady with a Puppy in Splashed-ink (Lot 2149) is a great example of the bond and friendship between Zhang and the different families. Lady with a Puppy in Splashed-ink was inspired by a Pekingnese owned by the Li family which Zhang was very fond of, with an added splashed-ink composition making this piece exceptionally unique. A twist to the story was when this painting surfaced in our Hong Kong saleroom in 1996 - Chow chanced upon this sentimental piece and purchased it immediately without hesitation.
With regards to Peonies (Lot 2150) and Lotus (Lot 2151), were gifts to Ren Shenshou for visiting Zhang in Taiwan. Taking lines from the Tang dynasty poet Li Zhengfeng, Zhang emphasises the delicacy and aroma of peonies and dedicates the piece to Ren. He later gifts Ren with Lotus in 1982, yet another piece filled with sentimental value and historical significance - gifted to Chow by Ren, these two paintings reinforce Chow and Ren's close friendship, yet another testament to their close bond.