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Property from a Private Hong Kong Collector (Lot 228)
LI KERAN (1907-1989)
Spring Rain in Jiangnan
Details
LI KERAN (1907-1989)
Spring Rain in Jiangnan
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
68 x 45.5 cm. (26 ¾ x 17 7⁄8 in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated 1964
Further inscribed and signed by the artist, with one seal
Dedicated to Xinchao
With a titleslip
Spring Rain in Jiangnan
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
68 x 45.5 cm. (26 ¾ x 17 7⁄8 in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated 1964
Further inscribed and signed by the artist, with one seal
Dedicated to Xinchao
With a titleslip
Provenance
Formerly in the collection of Zhang Qianfan (1907-?, pen name Xinchao), acquired directly from the artist;
Formerly in the collection of Yuen Hak Ping (1915-1985), gifted from Zhang Qianfan, and hence by descent in the Yuen family until now.
Formerly in the collection of Yuen Hak Ping (1915-1985), gifted from Zhang Qianfan, and hence by descent in the Yuen family until now.
Further details
The current collector’s father, Yuen Hak Ping (1915–1985), was a native of Gaohe, Guangdong. A 1937 graduate of the Guangzhou Municipal School of Fine Arts, he emerged as a key left-wing literary figure in Hong Kong during the 1950s. He founded and served as editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Wenyi Shiji (Literary Century) for twelve years, exerting considerable influence in Hong Kong›s literary and artistic circles. During the 1950s and 1960s, he was invited by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles to visit Mainland China on multiple occasions.
According to family records, this work was gifted to Yuen by his close friend Zhang Qianfan. Born in Dabu, Guangdong in 1907, Zhang was also active in Hong Kong’s cultural scene during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1956, he became the founding director of the Hong Kong China News Agency before being transferred back to Beijing in 1963. He wrote under various pen names, including Zhang Qianfan and Zhang Xinchao—the latter being the recipient named in the work’s inscription, “Xinchao.”
The titleslip was inscribed by Long Qian (1910–1979), a Chinese political figure who served as Director of the National Museum of Chinese History from 1962 to 1966. Highly accomplished in finger painting and calligraphy, Long likely inscribed the titleslip at Zhang Qianfan’s request.
Based on the above information and the titleslip details, this work was acquired by Zhang Qianfan (Xinchao) directly from the artist in 1964—the year following Zhang’s return to Beijing—with the titleslip inscribed by Long Qian. It was subsequently gifted to Yuen Hak Ping, possibly presented during Yuen’s visit to Beijing. The painting remained in the Yuen family collection for over half a century before being offered at the present sale.
According to family records, this work was gifted to Yuen by his close friend Zhang Qianfan. Born in Dabu, Guangdong in 1907, Zhang was also active in Hong Kong’s cultural scene during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1956, he became the founding director of the Hong Kong China News Agency before being transferred back to Beijing in 1963. He wrote under various pen names, including Zhang Qianfan and Zhang Xinchao—the latter being the recipient named in the work’s inscription, “Xinchao.”
The titleslip was inscribed by Long Qian (1910–1979), a Chinese political figure who served as Director of the National Museum of Chinese History from 1962 to 1966. Highly accomplished in finger painting and calligraphy, Long likely inscribed the titleslip at Zhang Qianfan’s request.
Based on the above information and the titleslip details, this work was acquired by Zhang Qianfan (Xinchao) directly from the artist in 1964—the year following Zhang’s return to Beijing—with the titleslip inscribed by Long Qian. It was subsequently gifted to Yuen Hak Ping, possibly presented during Yuen’s visit to Beijing. The painting remained in the Yuen family collection for over half a century before being offered at the present sale.
Brought to you by
Carmen Shek Cerne (石嘉雯)
Vice President, Head of Department, Chinese Paintings