Lot 545
  • 545

Chu Teh-Chun (Zhu Dequn)

Estimate
800,000 - 1,200,000 HKD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Chu Teh-Chun
  • Une obscure clarté 2
  • oil on canvas
signed in pinyin and Chinese; signed in pinyin and Chinese, titled and dated 1984 on the reverse

Provenance

Galerie Pierre Huber, Geneva
Private European Collection

Exhibited

Geneva, Galerie Pierre Huber, 5 abstraits en 1985: Jean-Paul Huftier, Albert Ferraud, W. Gies, Ernest Gerard Schneider, Chu Teh-Chun, January 24 -  February 23, 1985

Condition

This work is overall in good condition. There are wears along the edges, notably along the left hand side of the top border and lower half of the right border. There is no evidence of restoration under UV light.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

In Chu Teh-Chun's remarkable painting, Une obscure clarté 2, the artist remains true to form by maintaining features of abstraction. Literally translated from the French as "An Obscure Clarity", Chu punctuates his canvas with bursts of black, yellow and green which seem to collide effervescently into each other, lending the canvas a surreal quality. The dominating lighter tones are splayed onto the canvas in washes of translucent shades, subduing the darker tones into a more concentrated area. Within the upper-left corner, a viridian shade, reminiscent of a mineral green pigment typical to traditional Chinese ink painting, reflects the darkened black hues that dominate the lower-right corner. Chu adds washes of thick Indian ink to create a heightened effect of splattered paint, incorporating calligraphic elements into his work - a notable trademark of the artist. However, the thick impasto of Royal Yellow dominates the center of the canvas, reflecting the artist's clear ability and confidence in the art of oil painting. In this particular piece, Chu successfully represents an abstracted sunrise, emphasizing a fading haze of darkness and night. An immense attention to the play of light and colour provokes the viewer and lends the canvas an ethereal beauty.