Page 72 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings Hong Kong Dec. 1 2015

LOT 1189
FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION
FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF HUANG MENGGUI

Xu Beihong’s works often reveal profound messages: at times, they can be seen offering encouragement and solace to his compatriots
at a time of national crisis, or as gifts to a dear friend, celebrating virtue as a token of friendship. In Horses Drinking, against a vast,
open background, three horse are depicted standing by a river. Two lean forward to drink, exuding an air of calmness, while the
third is seen standing upright with an intense, alert regard. The painting was previously in the collection of Huang Menggui, who,
along with his brother Huang Manshi, was a close friend and major patron of Xu Beihong when the artist held his exhibitions in
Singapore. In 1934, as a government official in Fujian Province, Huang Menggui was arrested for his involvement in the civil unrest.
Xu Beihong often visited him, and after Huang’s release, the artist created this image of Horses Drinking inscribed with a dedication to
Huang Menggui to celebrate his newfound freedom. Although celebratory in mood, the painting also stands as an allegory reminding
his friend to remain vigilant in difficult times.

1189 1934

XU BEIHONG (1895-1953) The Low Gallery 2007 5 28
1123 2008 4 5 -
Horses Drinking
7 13
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
72.8 x 112 cm. (28 ¬ x 44 ¿ in.) 2008 182 183 5
Entitled, inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated jiaxu year (1934) 119 1983 9
Dedicated to Huang Menggui (1885-1965) 7
One collector’s seal
1976 79
PROVENANCE:

The Low Gallery
Lot 1123, 28 May 2007, Fine Chinese Modern Paintings, Christie’s Hong Kong.

EXHIBITED:

Singapore Art Museum, Xu Beihong in Nanyang, 5 April – 13 July 2008.

LITERATURE:

Xu Beihong in Nanyang, exhibition catalogue, Singapore Art Museum, 2008, pp.182-183,
pl.5.
Huang Meiyi, The Friendship between Xu Beihong and the Huang Family, Dacheng Magazine
S.119, Hong Kong, September 1983, p.7.
Huang Shufen (ed.), Articles Selected in Memory of Mr Huang Manshi, Nanyang Xuehui,
Singapore, 1976, p.79.

HK$18,000,000-22,000,000
US$2,400,000-2,900,000

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