A masterpiece valued at $15.48 million by Ming Dynasty Chinese classical painting master Shitao (1642–1707) will be offered by Christie’s at its Hong Kong Spring Sales on May 28th. Shitao, a renowned scholar-artist, was one of the most influential painters of his time and had a profound effect on the artistic development of subsequent Chinese ink and brush artists, including early 20th century masters such as Zhang Daqian and Fu Baoshi.
The album of 8 leaves, ink and colour on paper, entitled Landscapes Inspired by Du Fu’s Poetic Sensibilities is the most valuable Chinese painting ever to be presented at auction in Hong Kong. The subject matter of this album is an ode to the poetic beauty of famous Chinese ancient poet Du Fu, who was adept at ancient-style poems, often using metaphors of landscape to describe his anxiety about the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty.
