Page 90 - Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Paintings July 8th, 2020 Hong Kong

RECOVERING TREASURES:

FROM PRIVATE OVERSEAS COLLECTIONS
JIANG ZHAOHE’S HAPPY NEW YEAR AND OLD MAN

寰宇遺珠：

海外私人珍藏蔣兆和《拜新年》、《百齡老叟》

Celebrated for his veristic figure paintings reflecting profound since been displayed at many Jiang Zhaohe exhibitions overseas, while a
humanitarianism, Jiang Zhaohe extended exceptional compassion to the reproduction was exhibited at the National Museum Exhibition in 2014.
neglected during wartime in the 1930s and 40s. Acquainted with few This occasion at Christie’s marks the painting’s first appearance in Asia
kindred spirits who enjoyed his fusion of Chinese and Western artistic after its departure from China 70 years ago.
styles, Jiang prefaced “there are few who know or love me; only the poor The finest of Jiang’s portraits, Happy New Year is the first painting
knows me and only the famished do I sympathise” in the first volume featured in Portrait Paintings of Chiang Chao-Ho. Portraying a young girl
of Portrait Paintings of Chiang Chao-Ho in 1941. In truth, Jiang was well in Beijing during the Republic of China period, the painting shows her
liked by the foreign nationals in China; and as many of his works left in a festive red cheongsam and in a New Year’s greeting pose. In the
the country with his patrons, Jiang’s oeuvre was temporarily believed to inscription, consistent with his humanitarian principles, Jiang recounts
be forever lost. many war-induced sufferings, but also expresses his hope for a better
Fortunately, in recent decades, as Jiang’s artistic legacy gains momentum future. Composed and gentle, the young girl, too, imparts optimism
among art historians, more and more purportedly-lost works have emerged and promise. Different from his figure paintings with downcast subjects,
in public exhibitions and academic publications especially overseas. Happy New Year stands to be the most representative of Jiang’s humane
Prompting great enthusiasm among disposition in the turbulent era.
the academic and collection circles, Presented from the collection of former American military officer
Christie’s is honoured to present two George F. Dales (1927-1992), Old Man epitomises Jiang’s proclivity for
treasured works from Jiang Zhaohe’s painting the elderly. Stationed in China with the U.S. Marine Corps
first publication from the 1940s. from 1945 to 1948, Dales acquired Old Man and also had his portrait
Happy New Year comes from the family rendered by Jiang. Dales later earned his Ph.D from the University of
collection of Mr Matthew Keating Pennsylvania in 1960 and was an archaeology professor at University
(1917-1994). A senior personnel at of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Berkeley. Depicting
the Royal Dutch Shell, Keating was an Old Man whose looks, from matted beard to hollow cheeks, spoke
stationed in China for over a decade, volumes, Jiang shows respect for his crossed-arms, hunched-over subject.
during which he met Jiang and As with Old Couple from Christie’s 2018 Spring Auctions, Jiang employs
acquired a few works. Keating left the Western treatment of light and shadow, thereby yielding meticulous
China after the 50s and as a parting detail and profound depth in his ink paintings.
Portrait of Matthew Keating by gift and a token of an intercontinental Comparable to finding shining pearls in the expansive sea, Christie’s
Jiang Zhaohe. friendship, Jiang presented him with a offering of Happy New Year and Old Man surely furthers interest in Jiang
蔣兆和為馬修‧紀挺寫肖像圖。 personal portrait. Happy New Year has Zhaohe’s early artistic creations, to the benefit of scholars and collectors.

86