.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Worshipping the Rock
Details
QI BAISHI (1863-1957)
Worshipping the Rock
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
67 x 33 cm. (26 3⁄8 x 13 in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with three seals of the artist
One collector’s seal of Suma Yakichiro (1892-1970)
NOTE:
The work was originally in the form of a hanging scroll. The mounting bears an inscription and a titleslip, presumably written by its original owner, Suma Yakichiro. It also carries a catalog number, which is consistent with the standardized marking system used for items in the Suma collection.
Suma Yakichirō (1892–1970) was a distinguished Japanese diplomat. He served successively as Second Secretary at the Japanese Legation in China, Consul General in Guangzhou, and Consul General in Nanjing concurrently with the role of First Secretary at the embassy. In 1937, he was transferred to the post of Councillor at the Japanese Embassy in the United States.
During his postings in China, Suma devoted a decade to building a comprehensive collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, focusing primarily on the works of Qi Baishi. He first became acquainted with Qi in 1929 and subsequently assembled a specialized collection centered on Qi’s works from the 1920s, eventually amassing over one hundred pieces. Suma was also a key advocate for Qi Baishi’s art in Japan, following in the footsteps of Chen Shizeng.
Worshipping the Rock
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
67 x 33 cm. (26 3⁄8 x 13 in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with three seals of the artist
One collector’s seal of Suma Yakichiro (1892-1970)
NOTE:
The work was originally in the form of a hanging scroll. The mounting bears an inscription and a titleslip, presumably written by its original owner, Suma Yakichiro. It also carries a catalog number, which is consistent with the standardized marking system used for items in the Suma collection.
Suma Yakichirō (1892–1970) was a distinguished Japanese diplomat. He served successively as Second Secretary at the Japanese Legation in China, Consul General in Guangzhou, and Consul General in Nanjing concurrently with the role of First Secretary at the embassy. In 1937, he was transferred to the post of Councillor at the Japanese Embassy in the United States.
During his postings in China, Suma devoted a decade to building a comprehensive collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy, focusing primarily on the works of Qi Baishi. He first became acquainted with Qi in 1929 and subsequently assembled a specialized collection centered on Qi’s works from the 1920s, eventually amassing over one hundred pieces. Suma was also a key advocate for Qi Baishi’s art in Japan, following in the footsteps of Chen Shizeng.
Provenance
Previously from the collection of Yakashiro Suma.
Christie’s Hong Kong, Fine Chinese Modern Paintings, 29 May 2006, Lot 798.
Christie’s Hong Kong, Fine Chinese Modern Paintings, 29 May 2006, Lot 798.
Literature
Ch’i Pai-shih, San Sai Sha, Tokyo, 1960, pl. I26.
Qi Baishi’s Paintings, Pacific Book Co., Hong Kong, June 1971, pl. 128.
Paintings by Qi Baishi, Art Book Co., Ltd.,Taipei, 1980, p.112.
Qi Baishi’s Paintings, Pacific Book Co., Hong Kong, June 1971, pl. 128.
Paintings by Qi Baishi, Art Book Co., Ltd.,Taipei, 1980, p.112.
Exhibited
San Francisco, M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, Ch’i Pai-shih, 3-31 May, 1960.
Brought to you by
Carmen Shek Cerne (石嘉雯)
Vice President, Head of Department, Chinese Paintings