XU BEIHONG (1895-1953)

XU BEIHONG (1895-1953)
Eagle
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
86.6 x 48.8 cm. (34 1/8 x 19 1/4 in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated jiashen year (1944)

In many of Xu Beihong's photographs, it's easy to spot Xu's exquisite and sturdy hands, like the eagle that is painted by them, daring in flight and as strong as an eagle's outstretched wings. During the Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945), Xu created many paintings with eagles as his main subject, with titles alluding to strength, stamina and boldness. This painting was created in 1944, where the eagle surveys the land, reflecting upon the artist's sorrow regarding years of warfare and instability. The eagle's sharp claws also allude to Xu's acute observations of his surroundings and awareness of the world around him.