Shitao (Yuanji) 1642-1718

(1) with one seal of the artist, lao tao
(2) signed Qingxiang Dadi zi Ji, and one seal, qing xiang shi tao
(3) with two seals of the artist, yuan ji, shi tao
(4) signed Shitao Ji, and one seal, xia zun zhe
(5) with one seal of the artist, lao tao
(6) signed Dadi laoren Ji, and one seal, qing xiang shi tao
(7) with two seals of the artist, yuan ji, shi tao
(8) signed Qingxiang chenren Ji, and two seals, qian you long mian ji, a chang
(9) with one seal of the artist, lao tao
(10) signed Ji, and one seal, qing xiang lao ren
(11) with one seal of the artist, qian you long mian ji
(12) signed Shitao, and one seal, xia zun zhe
(13) with one seal of the artist, qing xiang lao ren
(14) signed Qingxiang laoren Ji, and one seal, zan zhi shi shi sun a chang
(15) with two seals of the artist, yuan ji, shi tao
(16) signed Kugua laoren Ji, and one seal, gao huang zi ji
(17) with one seal of the artist, ku gua he shang ji hua fa
(18) signed Dadi zi Ji, and two seals, tou bai yi ran bu shi zi, qing xiang shi tao
(19) with one seal of the artist, gao huang zi ji
(20) signed Qingxiang Shi daoren Ji, and one seal, qing xiang lao ren
(21) with two seals of the artist, yuan ji, shi tao
(22) signed Dadi zi, and one seal, qia you long mian ji
(23) with two seals of the artist, yuan ji, shi tao
(24) signed Xia zunzhe Ji, and two seals, a chang, qing xiang lao ren
Inscription on inside cover by Yan Shiqing (1873-1929), dated Jiayin (1914), spring, the second lunar month, with two seals, yan shi qing, yun bo
Colophon by Gu Wenbin (1811-1889), signed Gen'an, dated the eleventh year of the Tongzhi reign (1872), the third lunar month, with two seals, gu wen bin yin, gen an
With two collector's seals of Jin Chuansheng (Active Late 19th Century), xiu shui jin shi lan po guo mu, jin chuan sheng; with one collector's seal of Ling Shuhua (1900-1990), shuang jia lou

Gu Wenbin (1811-1889), Yan Shiqing (1873-1929), and Ling Shihua (1900-1990) collection.

1. Quelques Peintures De Lettres: Da collection Ling Su-hua, Paris: Musee Cernuschi, November 1962-February 1963, cat. 14
2. Artful Recluse: Painting, Poetry, and Politics in 17th-Century China, NY: Asia Society, March 6-June 2, 2013

1. Old Leaves Turning, London: Sydney L. Moss, 1995, no. 95, pp. 278-307
2. Shitao: Painting and Modernity in Early Qing China, Jonathan Hay, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2001, pp. 55, 266

- Overall in good condition except that paper bear a darkened tone, minor stain spots on some leaves.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Artist inscription:
(2) A solitary staff faces the setting sun; 
Barren mountains that autumn dyes with rich touches of red.
In dreams, I often remember the sights of Jin-ling (Nanjing),
But when I try to paint them my brush never gets it right.
(4) Newly grown bamboo taller than the eaves, 
And deep in morning clouds, the tip of a mountain peak emerging.
In the mountains, the fourth month is like the tenth;
Wearing a black cap I lean on a railing, feeling the dampness of cold greenery.
(6) In recent years my footsteps have rarely entered the world of men, 
Half the time among mountain hamlets, the other half among waterside villages.
Where my small cottage adjoins a stream, summer recedes early;
Even on a sunny day the mist is cool through my clothes.
(8) Wintry mist lies silent in the spring dawn, 
Peach blossom floating on the water evokes remote places.
A fisherman, in admiration of the willow's fresh colors, 
Puts down his fishing rod, unable to take his boat further. 
(10) Pale leaves and sparse flowers reflect in the brush rest -- 
My untrammeled calligraphy can still face up to Master Wang's! 
This feeling adds itself to the magical autumn willows
Whose fragrance, in the breeze, endlessly wafts my way. 
(12) The rock of a mountain cloven by clouds, 
A secluded dwelling linked up by trees.
From time to time beside the fence
One finds plants that ensure long life.
(14) A boat moving along in the middle of the current,
Green mountains floating by on both banks;
Someone living at the foot of Peach Blossom Peak,
Invites me to compose a poem on spring gulls.
(16) A ravine in autumn, toppled rocks, a stream that runs quietly;
Wild flowers, like butterflies, dread the cold of shady places.
Left-over red, struck by frost -- in the poem is a painting --
I transpose it to empty mountains, observing them with detached regard.
(18) Along vast sands where wild rice and reeds are dense
Are heard the cries of arriving gulls and herons.
It is not in any boat of fame or profit,
But carried by clouds that I happened to come to this place.
When the wind rises the sail is light
And in the blink of an eye one discovers a thousand li.
Looking back, there are layers of autumn mountains. 
And drawn-out songs as people enter the villages.
(20) Living in seclusion, enjoyment comes naturally;
All day long I keep the wooden gate closed
The powder on the bamboo concealing fresh green, 
The pine's scaly bark the color of a broken mortar.
Living near to rivers and lakes
My heart has taken on the freedom of water and clouds.
I don't understand my dreams of recent years - 
Why am I only close to mountains?
(22) The flowers in the Leisure-of-Planting Pavilion grow like written characters;
The master of the Leisure-of-Planting Pavilion is busy every day.
His commitments, like the flowers, are more numerous every day,
But the character-like flowers furnish real pleasure.
Guests arrive, just as he is engaged in the leisure of planting;
Flowering has been delayed by the rain and snow of a cold spring. 
Paying no attention to the clean snow that fills the sky
Everyone joins in setting the roots, one by one.
The master is a student of calligraphy and loves to cultivate flowers;
The flowers seem to understand the man, and each grows like a fine character.
While I ponder one character among the flowers
All of the flowers, smiling, bend towards the setting sun. 
(24) Waking from my illusions, after burning incense I brew tea against melancholy;
To comfort me in somber thoughts there are the two thousand qing (planted with tea).
By way of salute I lift the bowl to my mouth, and the wind and snow arrive. 
I look up at the sky and laugh heartily, feeling the cold's icy touch.
Just as this moment, facing the snow, I call on the adepts,
Wanting to follow them and float away amid the spirits.
The cottage is small, the wind strong: will I be swallowed up?
Heavy fragrance and bitter tea have removed all dust from my heart.