Album of Flowers and Insects

The recipients of this album are Pang Xijiu and his wife Madame Wang Xueqian. Pang was a well-to-do executive in Beijing during the Republican era; he was previously a manager in a car company. Skilled in flower-and-bird painting, Pang’s cordial personality won him friendships with many leading artists in Beijing at the time, including Wang Xuetao, Chen Banding, Pu Ru and Li Kuchan. Amongst these artists, Pang was especially close with Wang Xuetao, whom became a mentor and taught him to paint; Pang also supported Wang through his financial hardships.