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Lot Essay
China has a long-standing tradition of celebrating longevity. Natural elements such as pine, cypress, cranes, rocks, peaches, and lingzhi mushrooms frequently appear in paintings as symbols of long life.
Qi Baishi deeply yearned for longevity and often depicted auspicious themes throughout his career, with peaches being the most common. In Chinese mythology, peaches are closely associated with longevity; in Journey to the West, the panto—also known as the “immortal peach” or “longevity peach”—is a divine fruit granting eternal life.
The present work features a monkey presenting a peach, a theme known as Spirit Monkey Offering Longevity. Monkeys, known for their intelligence and fondness for peaches, are intrinsically linked to this symbol. Additionally, the word for “monkey” (hóu) is a homophone for “marquis” (hóu), signifying nobility and rank, further enhancing the auspicious meaning. The monkey is rendered with precise and expressive brushwork, exuding a lively and childlike charm. Qi Baishi’s signature technique is evident in the vibrant red hues of the peaches, applied with bold and fluid strokes.
Qi Baishi’s calligraphic inscription and seal impressions further enrich the composition. In the lower-left corner, a large seal reading “Ren Changshou” (May People Live Long) is placed to correspond with the two peaches in the upper right. To the right, the artist inscribed “The Wealthy Man of Three Hundred Stone Seals, Qi Huang”; in the upper-left corner, he inscribed “Great Longevity”, reinforcing the painting’s theme. The entire composition radiates a festive atmosphere and embodies profound auspicious symbolism.
Qi Baishi deeply yearned for longevity and often depicted auspicious themes throughout his career, with peaches being the most common. In Chinese mythology, peaches are closely associated with longevity; in Journey to the West, the panto—also known as the “immortal peach” or “longevity peach”—is a divine fruit granting eternal life.
The present work features a monkey presenting a peach, a theme known as Spirit Monkey Offering Longevity. Monkeys, known for their intelligence and fondness for peaches, are intrinsically linked to this symbol. Additionally, the word for “monkey” (hóu) is a homophone for “marquis” (hóu), signifying nobility and rank, further enhancing the auspicious meaning. The monkey is rendered with precise and expressive brushwork, exuding a lively and childlike charm. Qi Baishi’s signature technique is evident in the vibrant red hues of the peaches, applied with bold and fluid strokes.
Qi Baishi’s calligraphic inscription and seal impressions further enrich the composition. In the lower-left corner, a large seal reading “Ren Changshou” (May People Live Long) is placed to correspond with the two peaches in the upper right. To the right, the artist inscribed “The Wealthy Man of Three Hundred Stone Seals, Qi Huang”; in the upper-left corner, he inscribed “Great Longevity”, reinforcing the painting’s theme. The entire composition radiates a festive atmosphere and embodies profound auspicious symbolism.