Page 169 - 2021 March 15th Fine Chinese Paintings and Works of Art, Bonhams NYC New York

Property from the Collection of Michael Gallis,

Charlotte, North Carolina

When Michael Gallis first encountered paintings by Qi Baishi and how to judge genuine works from fakes. In addition to
(齊白石, 1864-1957)—at an exhibition at the Grosvenor C.C. Wang, Michael Gallis also benefitted from the expertise
Gallery in London in the 1960’s—he was left perplexed as to of countless other artists and scholars, including Zhang Daqian
why this artist, and indeed the Chinese paintings tradition— (張大千, 1899-1983), Chen Peiqiu (陳佩秋, 1922-2020), and
was so revered. This was especially surprising as his family Ma Xinle (馬欣樂, born 1963), to name just a very few.
had had close ties to China for two generations. Soon after
Mr. Gallis returned to his native San Francisco, he met the Michael Gallis is an architect and urban planner by profession.
well-established scholar and dealer Tsao Jungying (曹仲英, Yet, he credits his experience of opening his mind to the
1929-2011), who was particularly fond of and knowledgeable philosophy and aesthetics of Chinese paintings with expanding
about Qi Baishi’s work. Mr. Tsao’s insightful explanation of all aspects of his thinking and life. A natural teacher, in recent
Qi’s artistic goals and painting style opened a new world to years, Mr. Gallis has sought with determination to promote
Mr. Gallis, who then made his first purchase and launched his understanding between peoples of different cultures and uses
collection of Chinese paintings. his collection as an eloquent and appealing doorway.
So began Michael Gallis’s lifelong study, acquisition, and Chinese paintings from the Michael Gallis collection have
enjoyment of Chinese traditional paintings, ranging from the been featured in exhibitions at the Mint Museum, Charlotte,
classical period to contemporary. In addition to Mr. Tsao, North Carolina; The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem,
Mr. Gallis benefited from several exceptional teachers. Most Massachusetts; the Noguchi Museum in New York; and
influential was the renowned artist, collector, and connoisseur the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, California. In 2019
C.C. Wang (王己千, 1907-2003). For 25 years, Mr. Gallis the collection was published by Tianjin Renmin Meishu
spent countless hours looking at and discussing the history of Chubanshe, Michael Gallis Collection of Chinese Paintings
Chinese paintings, as well as the culture in which they were 《邁克·蓋勒斯中國畫收藏：一個西方學者的中華文化之旅》.
embedded, with Mr. Wang, assisted by the latter’s superb art An exhibition is currently being prepared at the Mint Museum
collection, library, and knowledge. Over time and drawing on in North Carolina for the paintings and calligraphy in the
traditional scholarship, Mr. Wang revealed what was distinctive collection not offered here.
about the work of each artist, who was important and why,