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Lot Essay
As Zhang Daqian states in his inscription, the subject of this painting is the three peaks of Mount Emei, a famous scenic spot in his home province of Sichuan. Zhang Daqian visited Mount Emei five times between June 1939 and August 1948 and made a number of paintings depicting these much loved vistas. He once recalled seeing the mountaintops from an airplane, “Seeing the three summits of Mount Emei in person is an incredibly rare experience for an artist. When I flew back to Ya’an, I secretly hoped that the airplane would fly over it again, and was astonished that it was indeed slowly passing Emei. The day was clear and sunny and the images of the three summits were impressed in my memory forever, inspiring me to create this painting.”
Born in Anhui in 1903, Han Lih-wu (Hang Liwu) studied politics at the University of London. He then returned to China and worked as a teacher before becoming Minister of Education and an official in the Nationalist Government. He also served as a liaison with England for his familiarity with the country.
When Nanjing was occupied by the Japanese troops in 1937-1938, Han Lih-wu played a role in the creation and administration of the International Committee for Nanjing Safety Zone. It was during this period that Mr. Han became active in the preservation of art: he participated in the recovery of antiquities from the Chaotian Palace, which were sent to the West in order to avoid damage during the war. Prior to the Huaihai Campaign of 1948, Mr. Han was in charge of transporting national treasures from Mainland China to Taiwan. In addition, he helped painter Zhang Daqian and his family flee to Taiwan, along with the collection of 78 paintings which were later donated to the Joint Management Office of the National Central Museum Library and Museum in Taiwan.
Born in Anhui in 1903, Han Lih-wu (Hang Liwu) studied politics at the University of London. He then returned to China and worked as a teacher before becoming Minister of Education and an official in the Nationalist Government. He also served as a liaison with England for his familiarity with the country.
When Nanjing was occupied by the Japanese troops in 1937-1938, Han Lih-wu played a role in the creation and administration of the International Committee for Nanjing Safety Zone. It was during this period that Mr. Han became active in the preservation of art: he participated in the recovery of antiquities from the Chaotian Palace, which were sent to the West in order to avoid damage during the war. Prior to the Huaihai Campaign of 1948, Mr. Han was in charge of transporting national treasures from Mainland China to Taiwan. In addition, he helped painter Zhang Daqian and his family flee to Taiwan, along with the collection of 78 paintings which were later donated to the Joint Management Office of the National Central Museum Library and Museum in Taiwan.