Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010), The Grand Canyon, 1989. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 123.3 x 170 cm. Estimate HK$15,000,000-20,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong

First look: Highlights from Chinese Paintings

Hong Kong Christie’s will host their 2019 Chinese Paintings autumn auctions from the 25th to 26th of November. We have curated a selection of exquisite pieces for a sneak preview, which we will have on offer in our upcoming sale.

The Hong Kong Christie's Chinese Paintings auctions will kick off on the 25th of November, 2019. There will be three exciting auctions, including Chinese Contemporary Ink, Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy and Fine Chinese Modern Paintings. Each sale has been carefully curated to present collectors with an array of exquisite works sourced from prestigious private collections worldwide.

Christie’s has selected a series of wonderful lots from each venue, and we would like to invite you to take a sneak peek.

Chinese Contemporary Ink will be the first to open on the morning of November 25th and brings together the most innovative masterpieces by artists, including Liu Kuo-sung (Liu Guosong), Li Huayi and Liu Dan.

Liu Dan (B. 1953), Scholar’s Rock, 2012. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink on paper. 99.8 x 183 cm (39 ¼ x 72 in.). Estimate HK$3,500,000-4,500,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Liu Dan (B. 1953), Scholar’s Rock, 2012. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink on paper. 99.8 x 183 cm (39 ¼ x 72 in.). Estimate: HK$3,500,000-4,500,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Li Huayi (B. 1948), Rising Mountain, 2006. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 136.5 x 67.5 cm (53 ¾ x 26 ⅝ in.). Estimate HK$1,600,000-2,600,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Li Huayi (B. 1948), Rising Mountain, 2006. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 136.5 x 67.5 cm (53 ¾ x 26 ⅝ in.). Estimate: HK$1,600,000-2,600,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Liu Kuo-Sung (Liu Guosong, B. 1932), Roof of the World Series No. 5. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 94.2 x 158.2 cm (37 ⅛ x 62 ¼ in.). Estimate HK$1,600,000-2,200,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Liu Kuo-Sung (Liu Guosong, B. 1932), Roof of the World Series No. 5. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 94.2 x 158.2 cm (37 ⅛ x 62 ¼ in.). Estimate: HK$1,600,000-2,200,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy auction will continue in the afternoon and present Shen Zhou’s stunning Landscapes for Zhu Xingfu. Another highlight in this sale is Dr S Y Yip’s Collection of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, which includes celebrated artists Dong Qichang, Gao Fenghan and Ren Xiong.

Property of Chen Rentao – Chinese paintings from the King Kwei collection. Shen Zhou (1427-1509), Landscapes for Zhu Xingfu, 1486. Handscroll, ink and colour on paper. Painting measures 35 x 1,263cm (13 ¾ x 497 ¼ in.). Colophon 35 x 131 cm (13 ¾ x 51 ⅝ in.). Estimate HK$6,000,000-8,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong. Literature Xu Bangda, Chronicles of Chinese Paintings

Property of Chen Rentao – Chinese paintings from the King Kwei collection. Shen Zhou (1427-1509), Landscapes for Zhu Xingfu, 1486. Handscroll, ink and colour on paper. Painting measures 35 x 1,263cm (13 ¾ x 497 ¼ in.). Colophon: 35 x 131 cm (13 ¾ x 51 ⅝ in.). Estimate: HK$6,000,000-8,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Bada Shanren (1626-1705), Calligraphy. A set of six album leaves, mounted as three frames, ink on paper. Each leaf measures 24 x 13cm (9 ½ x 5 ½ in.). Estimate HK$1,200,000-1,800,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Bada Shanren (1626-1705), Calligraphy. A set of six album leaves, mounted as three frames, ink on paper. Each leaf measures 24 x 13cm (9 ½ x 5 ½ in.). Estimate: HK$1,200,000-1,800,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Chinese painting and calligraphy from the Dr SY Yip collection. Dong Qichang (1555-1636), Landscape. Hanging scroll, ink on gold paper. 98 x 42.5 cm (38 ⅝ x 16 ¾ in.). Estimate HK$ 1,200,000 – 2,200,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong. Literature Selected Treasures of Chinese Art Min Chiu Society Thirtieth Anniversary Exhibition catalogue, Woods Publishing Company, Hong Kong,

Chinese painting and calligraphy from the Dr SY Yip collection. Dong Qichang (1555-1636), Landscape. Hanging scroll, ink on gold paper. 98 x 42.5 cm (38 ⅝ x 16 ¾ in.). Estimate: HK$ 1,200,000 – 2,200,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Finally, the Fine Chinese Modern Paintings sale will begin on November 26th, and will showcase a beautiful 1977 Zhang Daqian splashed-colour painting, Retreat in the Bamboo Grove. This year’s auction also coincides with the centenary Wu Guanzhong’s birth and will present a special section of the artist’s works, including The Grand Canyon  and Tsim Sha Tsui – both from a private collection in North America.

From an important Asian private collector. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Retreat in the Bamboo Grove, summer, sixty-six year (of the Republic, 1977). Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 102 x 193 cm. Estimate HK$45,000,000-55,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong. Exhibied Beijing, National Art Museum of China, The Vast Mountains And Rivers Art Exhibition of Zhang

From an important Asian private collector. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Retreat in the Bamboo Grove, summer, sixty-six year (of the Republic, 1977). Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 102 x 193 cm. Estimate: HK$45,000,000-55,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Commemorating the centenary birthday of Wu Guanzhong – from a private north American collector. Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010), The Grand Canyon, 1989. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 123.3 x 170 cm. Estimate HK$15,000,000-20,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong. Exhibied London, British Museum, Wu Guanzhong-A Twentieth Century Chinese Painter, March

Commemorating the centenary birthday of Wu Guanzhong – from a private north American collector. Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010), The Grand Canyon, 1989. Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 123.3 x 170 cm. Estimate: HK$15,000,000-20,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

From an important southeast Asian private collector. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Scholar in the Woods, guihai year (1983). Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 118 x 58.5 cm. Estimate HK$8,000,000-12,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong. Provenance Sotheby’s Hong Kong, Fine Chinese Paintings, 8 April 2008, Lot 175. Literature Panorama Magazine vol. 223, Hong Kong,

From an important southeast Asian private collector. Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), Scholar in the Woods, guihai year (1983). Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper. 118 x 58.5 cm. Estimate: HK$8,000,000-12,000,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

The collection of Eileen and I. M. Pei. Li Keran (1907-1989), Pine, April 26th, 1979. Dedicated to Bei Yuming (I.M. Pei). Hanging scroll, ink on paper. 69.5 x 46.5 cm. Estimate HK$500,000-700,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

The collection of Eileen and I. M. Pei. Li Keran (1907-1989), Pine, April 26th, 1979. Dedicated to Bei Yuming (I.M. Pei). Hanging scroll, ink on paper. 69.5 x 46.5 cm. Estimate: HK$500,000-700,000. Offered in November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Related auctions

You may also like

Related content

Chinese contemporary ink paintings: a guide to the artists you should know

Chinese paintings specialist Carmen Shek Cerne introduces the artists who have rewritten the rules of classical tradition

Zhang Daqian: A guide to China’s most popular artist

Christie's specialist offers insights into his life and career, from his brilliance as an innovator and forger to his restless globetrotting lifestyle

Wu Guanzhong — ‘An artist of feeling rather than fact’

​A guide to the artist credited with galvanising Chinese painting in the 20th century, illustrated with works offered at Christie’s​

An expert’s introduction to Chinese calligraphy

Chinese paintings specialist Dr. Malcolm McNeill is your guide to this historic art form, which is highly valued as an outward expression of the artist’s psychology

Chinese Art from The Art Institute of Chicago

Important Chinese works of art from one of America’s leading cultural institutions coming to auction in New York

Studio visit: Wang Tiande

The Chinese artist who blurs the line between painting and calligraphy discusses his celebrated Hou Shan series

Collecting Guide: 7 things to know about Chinese traditional painting

International specialist Kim Yu on why age-old themes, materials and techniques continue to flourish among artists and collectors

Related Department