Page 91 - Bonhams Los Angelis December 14, 2022

PROPERTY OF AN OREGON PRIVATE
COLLECTOR
111
QI BAISHI (1864-1957)
Loquats, 1951
Ink and color on paper, mounted for framing,
signed Xingtang Laowu Azhi, dated to the
artist’s eighty-seventh year (1951), with two
artist’s seals Qi Da and Juan ye yu min
junqi qu.
44 x 18 1/2in (111.5 x 47cm)

$25,000 - 40,000
齊白石 枇杷 色設紙本 立軸
款識：星塘老屋後人阿芝【】小名也年八十
七嵗矣
鈐印：齊白石、倦也欲眠君且去
In this scroll, Qi Baishi’s depiction of clustered
bright yellow loquat fruit overflowing the
wicker basket is an auspicious image. Due
to the long fruiting period of the loquat tree,
the image is symbolic of rewards achieved
through effort. In this painting the oversupply,
with an extra branch of fruit resting beside the
basket, reiterates a message of abundance.
Here the golden yellow of the fruit contrasts
with the black ink of the artist’s inscription, as
well as the leaves, branches and basket that
complete the composition. Whereas the ink
has a variety of tones due to the dilution of
ink and speed of application with the brush,
the yellow of the fruit is layered, even, and
opaque. A ‘boneless’ grasshopper—deftly
painted and revealing the artist’s study of the
insect world—aminates the composition with
its long, energetic antenna playfully mimicking
the arching branches below.

Inscribed at the age of eighty-seven years,
the painting was created in 1951. Although
advanced in years, Qi Baishi’s brushwork was
still strong and steady and his compositions
fresh and creative.

FINE CHINESE ART | 89