Lot 619
Birds and Plum Blossoms
HUANG Chun-Pi (Taiwanese, 1898 - 1991)
1942
Ink and colour on paper, framed
99 x 48 cm
Estimate
TWD 500,000-800,000
HKD 133,000-213,000
USD 17,100-27,400
CNY 118,000-188,000
Sold Price
TWD 5,520,000
HKD 1,500,000
USD 193,684
CNY 1,263,158
Signature
Signed Huang Chun-Pi in Chinese
With four seals of the artist
With four seals of the artist
PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Taiwan
Private collection, Taiwan
+ OVERVIEW
Huang Chun-Pi, also known as Chun-Weng, was one of the greatest Chinese modern ink artists and a devoted professor in art. He had close relationships with Huang Bin-Hong, Yu You-Ren and Xu Bei-Hong. After arriving in Taiwan, he was ranked as the greatest three artists with Pu Hsin-Yu and Zhang Da-Qian. Huang Chun-Pi graduated from Guangdong School and followed Li Yao-Ping's teaching in Chinese paintings. He practised styles of Xinan School in his early career and copied ancient paintings later, hence his knowledge in Song and Yuan paintings of all genres was profound. This made him an all-rounded artist. His painting after Huayan in 1924 astounded Zhang Da-Qian, who praised his brushwork as authentic to the original work.
Huang Chun-Pi's Flower-and-Bird paintings are fresh and pleasant to the modern eye. Works prior to Taiwan period were mostly structured in traditional style with fine strokes of sketches, rough expressions and gongbi strokes on Flower-and-Bird and figure paintings. This painting was created in 1942 when Huang stayed in Chongqing. During his eight years in Sichuan, he visited famous sites and made sketchings during his trip. This painting was made in autumn when plum blossoms started blooming. Flowers bloom in all forms, sketched with fine gongbi and cun strokes. Branches were naturally depicted. White colours were used on buds and flowers, highlighting their innocent forms. Bamboo on the lower right was added as stark contrast with the plum blossom. The whole scene was enriched in realistic approach, with blue birds posing naturally, as one looks straight at the audience, others are tidying their feathers. Concentrated ink was used on their heads and white colour highlights the fluffy feather at the cheeks, creating a vivid depiction. Strokes were extremely fine and colours were meticulously applied to highlight the features on the backs and the tails. Light yellow was used on the chest. Such exquisite depictions enhance the elegance of the painting. Harmonious colours were chosen to form a picturesque autumn scene with hints of respect to the Song's cold and distant style and Yuan's approaching style, making this a unique piece.
Huang Chun-Pi's Flower-and-Bird paintings are fresh and pleasant to the modern eye. Works prior to Taiwan period were mostly structured in traditional style with fine strokes of sketches, rough expressions and gongbi strokes on Flower-and-Bird and figure paintings. This painting was created in 1942 when Huang stayed in Chongqing. During his eight years in Sichuan, he visited famous sites and made sketchings during his trip. This painting was made in autumn when plum blossoms started blooming. Flowers bloom in all forms, sketched with fine gongbi and cun strokes. Branches were naturally depicted. White colours were used on buds and flowers, highlighting their innocent forms. Bamboo on the lower right was added as stark contrast with the plum blossom. The whole scene was enriched in realistic approach, with blue birds posing naturally, as one looks straight at the audience, others are tidying their feathers. Concentrated ink was used on their heads and white colour highlights the fluffy feather at the cheeks, creating a vivid depiction. Strokes were extremely fine and colours were meticulously applied to highlight the features on the backs and the tails. Light yellow was used on the chest. Such exquisite depictions enhance the elegance of the painting. Harmonious colours were chosen to form a picturesque autumn scene with hints of respect to the Song's cold and distant style and Yuan's approaching style, making this a unique piece.
Related Info
Refined Brushwork: Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art
Ravenel Autumn Auction 2020
Saturday, December 5, 2020, 2:00pm