Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Paintings Spring Sale will be held on 2 April in Hong Kong, featuring 280 exquisite paintings by modern Chinese artists. Leading the sale are two rare works making their auction debuts: Spectacular Mountains in Spring Snow by Zhang Daqian and Studio Amid Majestic Mountains by Huang Binhong.

Spectacular Mountains in Spring Snow, a prodigious six-foot long splashed ink-and-colour painting and calligraphy by Zhang Daqian (1899-1983). This magnificent painting, a gift from the artist to his dear friend, Zhang Muhan, depicts an undulating mountain range with its peak dusted in snow.

The accompanying calligraphy refers directly to the close friendship between the two. The poem, written in beautiful script, describes the towns of Anhui and Sichuan, the birth places of Zhang Daqian and Zhang Muhan respectively. The painting is estimated at HK$28m-40m.

Huang Binhong’s Studio Amid Majestic Mountains is a spectacular scroll, commissioned by Peiyue for his father Mo Boji’s 70th birthday. The landscape is colossal in size and detailed in nature.

Thick with impasto and vibrant with powerful brush strokes, the painting features inscriptions of two poems, a reference to the family’s love of writing. Befitting of the celebratory nature of this commission, the paper used for the work was especially made during the 49th year of the Qianlong Emperor’s reign in honour of his birthday celebration. It carries an estimate of HK$15m-20m.

Alongside the above two paintings going to the auction for the first time, Fu Baoshi’s Scholars Trekking in Snow Mountains is another highlight of the sale. Estimate upon request, the painting beautifully combines the artist’s eye for detail with his interest in history.

Drawing inspiration and reference from the biography of Tang Dynasty poet, Han Yu, and in particular his journey to Chaoyang in a winter due to his demotion, the present work vividly portrays Han trekking through the narrow, winding mountain paths buried in snow and enveloped by withered trees and sharp rocks. The painting has been exhibited across Europe and Asia and has been recorded extensively in catalogues and publications

Zhang Daqian (1899-1983). Spectacular Mountains in Spring Snow; Calligraphy
Splashed ink and colour on paper; ink on paper

Lot no.: 1257
Created in: 1967
Size: 67.2 x 186.8 cm (painting); 67.5 x 185.5 cm (calligraphy)
Estimate: HK$28,000,000 – 40,000,000 (US$3,500,000 – 5,000,000)

Huang Binhong (1864-1955). Studio Amid Majestic Mountains
Ink and Colour on Paper, hanging scroll

Lot no.: 1277
Created in: 1947
Size: 128.5 x 61 cm
Estimate: HK$15,000,000 – 20,000,000 (US$2,000,000 – 2,500,000)

Fu Baoshi (1904-1965). Scholars Trekking in Snow Mountains
Ink and Colour on Paper, Hanging scroll

Lot no.: 1432
Created in: 1945
Size: 88.5 x 56.3 cm
Estimate Upon Request

Auction details
Auction house: Sotheby’s Hong Kong
Sale: Fine Chinese Paintings
Date: 2018/4/2｜10 am