Page 126 - Yamanaka co Auction catalog

199-HAN HSIANG-TZUOF THE PA HSIEN
(A pendant to No. 200)
Against a background of trees, hillsides, streams, rocks and
sandy banks, under a gray sky, the immortal is depicted
standing in a reddish-sandy road, holding his distinguish-
ing attribute the flute and accompanied by a boy attendant.
Both are pictured in magnificent robes of rich vermilion,
green and greenish-blue, and a rich brown, with ornate gold
and silver embroidery. With its companion, No. 200 of
the catalogue, one of a set of the Pa Hsien, or eight
Taoist genii. Han Hsiang-tzu may be regarded as one of
the fortunate of fallen beings, since it was in falling (from
a peach-tree of the genii) that he entered into immortality.
Height, 28 inches; width, 22~ inches.
(Illustrated)

200-LAN Ts' AI-HO OF THE P A HSIEN
(A pendant to No. 199)
Of the eight Taoist genii so often and so variously repre-
sented in Chinese art is pictured here, holding up his basket
of flowers and followed closely by a boy attendant. His
robes of pale blue, vermilion and greenish-gray are boun-
teously embroidered in gold. The robes of rose and light
gray of his attendant show flowers touched with silver, and
on his back he carries a bundle of garlands. A pine tree of
twisted trunk is behind the group, its branches extending
overhead, and in the background" is a stream with a farther
shore of hills and ravines under a gray sky. With its com-
panion, No. 199 of the catalogue, one of a set of the eight
Taoist immortals, or Pa Hsien. Both this painting and its
companion, while the work of a Chinese artist-none other
could approach the embroidery or the hair-reveal a close
study of European art in the use of perspective as the West
understands perspective, in the landscape background. And
the influence of the study has not been wholly without effect
in the rendering of the human features.
Height, 28 inches)' width, 22~ inches.
(Illustra,ted)