Appreciation of Qi Baishi's "Blue Pollen Butterfly"

Qi Baishi Blue Pollen Butterfly Christie's Hong Kong 2016 Autumn Auction sold for HK$3.42 million

Appreciation of works

Qi Baishi (1864-1957), a native of Xiangtan, Hunan, was a master of Chinese painting in the twentieth century, one of the top ten calligraphers of the twentieth century, one of the painters, and a world cultural celebrity. Qi Baishi was born on January 1, 1864 (qing tongzhi 3rd year of the 22nd month of the winter month), Baishipu, Xiangtan County, and died of illness in Beijing on September 16, 1957 (23 August of the year of Ding You) at the age of 94. The clan sect name is Chunzhi, nicknamed Ah Zhi, name Huang, the character Weiqing, the number Lanting, the endangered, alias Baishi Shanren, so the name of Qi Baishi, and there are a large number of pen names and self-titles such as Qi Da, Mu Ren, Mu Ju Shi, Hongdou Sheng, Xingtang Old House Descendant, Borrow Mountain Weng, Borrow Mountain YinGuan Master, Send Garden, Ping Weng, Send Ping Tang Master, Longshan President, Three Hundred Stone Seal Rich Man, Hundred Tree Pear Flower Master and so on.

Qi Baishi was greatly influenced by Master Chen in the art of painting, and he also drew on Wu Changshuo's strengths. He specializes in flowers and birds, and his pen is full of ink and ink, and he is strong and sharp. But the painting worms are meticulous and extremely delicate. He also admired Xu Wei, Zhu Yun, Shi Tao, and Jin Nong. Shrimp and crabs, cicadas, butterflies, fish, birds, and ink are dripping with the vibrant atmosphere of nature. The composition of the landscape is strange and does not fall into the old, very creative spirit, seal carving is unique, calligraphy is outstanding, and it is for everyone. Qi Baishi's paintings, opposed to unrealistic fantasies, he often paid attention to the characteristics of flowers, birds, insects, and fish, and pondered their spirits.

Inscription: Shiraishi old man Ke Jinghua twenty-nine years, waist and foot pain reduction multi-pleasure.

Seal: Qi Baishi, Lushan Red Leaf Acacia

Source: Christie's, Hong Kong, Chinese Modern and Contemporary Painting (i), May 29, 2006, No. 723.

Artwork

Author Qi Baishi

Dimensions 102.5×33.5cm

Estimate hkd 600,000-800,000

Realized price is RMB 2,989,080 hkd 3,420,000

Special session on Modern and Contemporary Chinese Painting

Auction date 2016-11-29

Auction company Christie's Hong Kong Limited

Auction Fall 2016 Auction