Page 127 - Fine Classical Chinese Paintings SOthebys Hong Kong April 1 2019

upon completion, it was an opportune time for him to give the friends of Qian Weicheng, so their inscriptions on the painting
painting to his visiting younger brother as a gift. Therefore, the can also be found in their respective collections of works,
scroll was not only a work of leisure in which the painter exuded such as Zhao Yi’s Oubei Ji, Zhao Huaiyu’s Yiyoushengzhai Ji,
his admiration for ancient art, this gift for a younger sibling also Peng Yuenrui’s Enyuyang Jigao, and Qian Daxin’s Qianyantang
served as a didactic work, on which he projected his deeper Shiji, etc. In these poems, many compared the Qian brothers
sentiments. to poets Su Shi and Su Zhe, as the younger brother studied
under the tutelage of the elder brother. Many also lavished
The scroll was given to his third younger brother Qian Weiqiao
(1739 -1806), who was also known by his aliases Shu Can, Shu praise on Qian Weicheng’s gift for arts and literature,
and mourned his passing. As such, the current scroll is
Chuan, and Zhu Chu. He was erudite in history, literature, arts, undoubtedly an important artefact for studying the literati
and the teachings of Chan Buddhism. He wrote legends that
were adapted for very popular plays during the Qianlong years, scene in the city of Changzhou and the Jiangnan Region
and multiple editions of his works were passed down in history. during the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods.
Collaborating with scholar-official Qian Daxin, Qian Weiqiao edited Drawing clues from the inscriptions, the scroll was in the
the Annals of Yin County in Zhejiang (Yunxianzhi). Weiqiao and his collection of Wang Lizhai, a Huizhou merchant in the Jiaqing
elder brother Weicheng, the first in the palace examination, were and Daoguang periods after the passing of Qian Weiqiao.
both accomplished scholar-officials, and were dubbed the “Qian Later on, the treasure was collected by Yang Qinglin’s Pinglu
duo of Changzhou.” Studio, as documented by his son in law Shao Songnian
(1848-1923) in Chenglantang Guyuan Cuilu. In 1873, Yang
Although Qian Weicheng was 19 years Weiqiao’s senior, they kept Zhenfu acquired Wang Yuanqi’s Landscape after the Four
frequent contact with each other. Between the years 1766 and Great Yuan Masters and was overjoyed that he could use
1767, Weicheng gave Weiqiao his painting, and after embellishing [6]
it, Weiqiao inscribed two poems on it. In the same year, Weicheng this work as a reference. When Yang passed away, both
gave his younger brother another work he painted, entitled, Long scrolls, painted by Qian and Wang respectively, belonged to
Shao Songnian. In 1916, Shao inscribed notes on both scrolls
landscape scroll painted for younger brother Weiqiao, year 1776.
[4]
explaining their acquisition. The scroll by Wang Yuanqi was
Qian Weiqiao admired his elder brother very much, and described published in Enchanting Images: Late Chinese Painting and
Weicheng in the following words, “his poems follow the style of Calligraphy from the Shih-t’ou Shu-wu Collection. However,
[7]
Li Bai and Du Fu. His essays are fluent, unpretentious, but at the Four Great Masters of the Yuan Dynasty to whom Wang’s
the same time, rich in ideas and imagery. It would be difficult work refers are different from those to whom Qian’s scroll
to imitate his style of writing. His calligraphy reminds me of refers, namely, Huang Gongwang, Ni Zan, Wang Meng, and
Su Shi, and he succeeded in bringing together the beauty of Wu Zhen. If, at the time, Qian Weicheng really did see Wang’s
all Four Great Masters of the Yuan Dynasty and developing a imitative work, then Qian only followed Wang Yuanqi’s
distinct style.” As Weiqiao was given the current seminal work imitation of ancient paintings in spirit but not in substance.
[5]
of Landscape after the Four Great Yuan Masters, he knew he
had to cherish it. Unfortunately, Qian Weicheng passed away [1] Complete Works of Qian Weichang (Qianwenmingong Quanji), Anthology of
five years later. To honour and eulogize his late elder brother, Tea Mountain (Chashan Shichao), juan 9
[2] Ibid. juan 4
Weiqiao brought this scroll with him two to three years within
[3] Ibid. juan 3
Weicheng’s passing and invited many friends to inscribe poems
[4] Ibid. juan 1 and The Zhuchu Anthology of Poems and Essays (Zhuchu
on the painting. Among them, Qian Zai (1708–1793), Palace Shiwenchao), juan 10
Library Attendant , Zhao Yi (1727–1814), poet and historian, Zhao [5] Ibid. juan 5
Huaiyu (1747–1823), poet, Zhang Qia (1718–?), also known as [6] See Shao Songnian, Chenglantang Guyuan Cuilu
Yuanguang Daoshi, painter, Peng Yuenrui (1731–1803), Imperial [7] See Cai Yixuan ed., Enchanting Images: Late Chinese Painting and
Grand Secretary and collector, as well as Ping Shengtai, fellow Calligraphy from the Shih-t’ous Shou-wu Collection, Taipei: Rock Publishing,
2001, pp. 126-127 & 312-315, No. 56.
Imperial Examiner, and Qian Daxin, scholar-official and historian,
with whom he had collaborated. They tended to be well respected
literati and important officials from Changzhou, or colleagues and
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