Fragrant Lotus

Details

XIE ZHILIU (1910-1997)
Fragrant Lotus
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
63 x 32.7 cm. (24 ¾ x 12 7/8 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with three seals of the artist
Dated spring, wuzi year (1948)
Dedicated to Benyi (Mr Liu Jingyi)

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist, thence by descent.

Further details

Liu Jingyi (1897-1973), also known as Benyi, was born in Kaifeng, Henan. He graduated from Henan Kaifeng Preparatory School in 1917 and received a scholarship to study abroad in the United States at the University of California and the University of Michigan, where he obtained his master’s degree. After working as an engineer at Detroit Continental Motors and Corkhan Engine Factory, he returned to China in 1924 and became a professor at Northeastern University in Shenyang, while he also worked in the Ministry of Aviation led by Zhang Xueliang. In May 1947, Liu was appointed as General Manager of China National Aviation Holding Corporation Limited (Air China). On November 9, 1949, he led all the employees from Central Air Transport Co. and Air China in Hong Kong to join the People’s Republic of China, along with Chen Zhuolin. Due to illness, Liu received long-term treatment in Hong Kong and later moved to Australia with his wife Liu Weiying in March 1971. The present paintings by Zhang Daqian and Xie Zhiliu were acquired directly from the artists in the 1940s, with artist’s dedication to Benyi. They are passed down and preciously preserved by his family until today.

Conditions of sale

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