.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
From an Important Private Collection (Lot 175)
QI BAISHI (1863-1957)
Cat, Butterflies and Plum Blossoms
Details
QI BAISHI (1863-1957)
Cat, Butterflies and Plum Blossoms
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
177.8 x 45.7 cm. (70 x 18 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated autumn, yichou year (1925)
Dedicated to Zimei
NOTE:
Cat, Butterflies and Plum Blossoms was created in 1925, the sixth year of Qi Baishi’s stylistic transformation. Two red plum branches frame a brown tabby cat, while two butterflies flutter above, creating a lively diagonal composition. Though relaxed, the cat seems ready to jump up to capture the butterflies, adding tension to the bright, playful scene. Qi blends bold calligraphic strokes with everyday charm to achieve a perfect balance. The imagery of cats and butterflies is a homophone for “octogenarians”, symbolizing longevity and conveying the artist’s wishes for the owner’s long life.
Cat, Butterflies and Plum Blossoms
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
177.8 x 45.7 cm. (70 x 18 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated autumn, yichou year (1925)
Dedicated to Zimei
NOTE:
Cat, Butterflies and Plum Blossoms was created in 1925, the sixth year of Qi Baishi’s stylistic transformation. Two red plum branches frame a brown tabby cat, while two butterflies flutter above, creating a lively diagonal composition. Though relaxed, the cat seems ready to jump up to capture the butterflies, adding tension to the bright, playful scene. Qi blends bold calligraphic strokes with everyday charm to achieve a perfect balance. The imagery of cats and butterflies is a homophone for “octogenarians”, symbolizing longevity and conveying the artist’s wishes for the owner’s long life.
Provenance
Previously in the Chong Yi Zhai Collection.
Literature
Selected Treasures of Chinese Art–Min Chiu Society 30th Anniversary Exhibition, Min Chiu Society, Hong Kong, 1990, pp.134-135, pl.53.
Exhibited
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Selected Treasures of Chinese Art: Min Chiu Society Thirtieth Anniversary Exhibition, 30 November 1990-10 February 1991.
Brought to you by
Carmen Shek Cerne (石嘉雯)
Vice President, Head of Department, Chinese Paintings