- 567
ZHANG DAQIAN (CHANG DAI-CHIEN) 1899-1983 | LETTERS TO FUNG BI-CHE
Estimate
45,000 - 65,000 USD
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Description
- Zhang Daqian (Chang Dai-chien, 1899-1983)
- LETTERS TO FUNG BI-CHE
- ink on paper, five mounted for framing
- various sizes.
(1) signed Yuan, dated the eighth day of sixth lunar month(2) signed Yuan, dated the second day of tenth lunar month(3) signed Yuan, dated the fourth day after the Dragon Boat Festival(4) signed Yuan, dated the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month(5) signed Yuan
Condition
- Overall in good condition except minor stain and dirt.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
Artist inscription:
(1) To my esteemed disciple Bi-Che:
I received your letter several days ago, but didn’t get around to replying till now. I had surgery in my left eye and couldn’t use my right eye as well. Recently, I got a prescription for a new pair of glasses, they are much better than the ones from last year. I thought you would be relieved to hear that. Thank you for chanting the name of Buddha and copying the sutras, I am truly grateful. We may thus overcome efficient causes and avail ourselves of Buddha’s boundless magnanimity to achieve our desired outcome.
Quanzhai’s hands are quite occupied. I remember that the other day you said that he has assistants who are steeped in traditional skills. I wonder if I can trouble you to look for someone there to quickly mount seven or eight paintings for me?
Have printed volumes of Shimen ming [Inscription at Shimen] been bound yet? I can’t wait to receive it. I look forward to your mailing it or sending it via Uncle Li and his wife. At the end of Shimen ming, Jia Sande wrote a colophon of several lines. Were you able to find it? Of late, does Tsikuchai (Jiguzhai) have any fine paintings of bamboo by Mr. Xie Zhiliu? It doesn’t matter whether they are ink or colored, I would like to buy two or three. Please let them know of my desires.
Hastily written in the lamp light. (2) To my kind disciple Bi-Che:
After we parted at the airport in Spring, I arrived at Calcutta at 12 midnight that night. On the 4th, we ascended to Darjeeling. I was bothered by rheumatism in my left arm and left thigh, so I need several sessions of electrotherapy everyday. Only after more than a month did it begin to seem better. This is the reason for my delay in replying to you. Recently I made a scroll painting of a classical lady, which I am sending to you as a gift. The pigment powder is too thick and will gradually lose its moist quality. It is best if you mount it right away. If you wait too long, I fear that the colors may peel off. In Hong Kong only one shop in Wanchai can mount paintings with a recessed effect. The shop’s owner is Maiquan (who fled to Hong Kong from Guangzhou). I forget the shop’s name. You can give your fellow student Li Qiaofeng a call. He should know. (Li’s office phone number is 21461, his home phone number is 25477.)
The gown and jacket that you sent me via Mr. Gao Lingmei have already arrived. Thank you! Greetings to you and your husband.
Also, extend my greetings to Mr. Jiyun. If the two of you meet Mr. [Du] Yuesheng, please convey my greetings to him too.
(3) To my esteemed disciple Bi-Che:
I was exceedingly gratified to receive your letter. My eye has already healed 80 to 90 percent, and I am able to walk without assistance. In xieyi broad stroke painting, I can move freely but my doctor tells me to go easy. I am impatient to use Shimen ming. You don’t have to bind it. Just have Liu Shaolü’s son add protective sheets on the back of each leaf of the rubbings. And then could you please airmail it to me?
I truly appreciate the bamboo fan painting [by Xie Zhiliu] from Mr. Jiyu. It brings back good memories. I thank you in advance.
My new painting studio will be finished in the beginning of August. Outside, it will have nearly sixty plum trees. When will you visit me again? I really look forward to such a visit.
With greetings. Hastily written on the fourth day after the Dragon Boat Festival.
(4) To my esteemed disciple Bi-Che:
I haven’t heard from you these past two years. I sent you two letters, but they were returned. The address must have been wrong.
Mr. [Li] Zulai visited me and brought news about you, making me ever more anxious for you to visit the United States. You can stay at my house. I understand that the U.S. consulate wants me to write a letter inviting you. What are the requirements for the letter? Perhaps you can write a draft and mail it to me? I will then revise it. I have consistently hoped that you can come visit at an early date. My eye problem requires three months to clear up enough so that I can read and paint. At present my vision is blurry.
(5) “Goodbye, Argentina,” a lyric (ci) to the tune of “Yujiexing”
I ask the spring breeze, Who is in charge? Always teaching people, day in and day out without attachment. First you call for clear skies; then you bring rain. Petals drop, and flowers bloom. Are you the one who causes it all?
The boat moves slowly, leaving the river bank. A pair of scissors cannot cut the threads of a thousand worries. I bear my tears without a word and wave my hand. The river is long and the mountain is high. Nothing is planned.
“Climbing Corcovado Mountain,” a lyric (ci) to the tune of “Dielianhua”
Laozi during his life gracefully accepted his lot and took delight in following his fate. He lived a hundred years quite pleasantly. I eat well, converse well, and also walking well. In climbing the tower, who says that I must do this in my native country?
To take in fine scenery, one must live there for a while. I bought an uncultivated piece of land and assigned some gardening tasks to my son. In addition to bamboo, I planted several Chinese Sycamore trees. There the old phoenix perches and spends his remaining days.
Recently I composed two lyrics for you to see how my state of mind has changed these last two months and what it has become.
(1) To my esteemed disciple Bi-Che:
I received your letter several days ago, but didn’t get around to replying till now. I had surgery in my left eye and couldn’t use my right eye as well. Recently, I got a prescription for a new pair of glasses, they are much better than the ones from last year. I thought you would be relieved to hear that. Thank you for chanting the name of Buddha and copying the sutras, I am truly grateful. We may thus overcome efficient causes and avail ourselves of Buddha’s boundless magnanimity to achieve our desired outcome.
Quanzhai’s hands are quite occupied. I remember that the other day you said that he has assistants who are steeped in traditional skills. I wonder if I can trouble you to look for someone there to quickly mount seven or eight paintings for me?
Have printed volumes of Shimen ming [Inscription at Shimen] been bound yet? I can’t wait to receive it. I look forward to your mailing it or sending it via Uncle Li and his wife. At the end of Shimen ming, Jia Sande wrote a colophon of several lines. Were you able to find it? Of late, does Tsikuchai (Jiguzhai) have any fine paintings of bamboo by Mr. Xie Zhiliu? It doesn’t matter whether they are ink or colored, I would like to buy two or three. Please let them know of my desires.
Hastily written in the lamp light. (2) To my kind disciple Bi-Che:
After we parted at the airport in Spring, I arrived at Calcutta at 12 midnight that night. On the 4th, we ascended to Darjeeling. I was bothered by rheumatism in my left arm and left thigh, so I need several sessions of electrotherapy everyday. Only after more than a month did it begin to seem better. This is the reason for my delay in replying to you. Recently I made a scroll painting of a classical lady, which I am sending to you as a gift. The pigment powder is too thick and will gradually lose its moist quality. It is best if you mount it right away. If you wait too long, I fear that the colors may peel off. In Hong Kong only one shop in Wanchai can mount paintings with a recessed effect. The shop’s owner is Maiquan (who fled to Hong Kong from Guangzhou). I forget the shop’s name. You can give your fellow student Li Qiaofeng a call. He should know. (Li’s office phone number is 21461, his home phone number is 25477.)
The gown and jacket that you sent me via Mr. Gao Lingmei have already arrived. Thank you! Greetings to you and your husband.
Also, extend my greetings to Mr. Jiyun. If the two of you meet Mr. [Du] Yuesheng, please convey my greetings to him too.
(3) To my esteemed disciple Bi-Che:
I was exceedingly gratified to receive your letter. My eye has already healed 80 to 90 percent, and I am able to walk without assistance. In xieyi broad stroke painting, I can move freely but my doctor tells me to go easy. I am impatient to use Shimen ming. You don’t have to bind it. Just have Liu Shaolü’s son add protective sheets on the back of each leaf of the rubbings. And then could you please airmail it to me?
I truly appreciate the bamboo fan painting [by Xie Zhiliu] from Mr. Jiyu. It brings back good memories. I thank you in advance.
My new painting studio will be finished in the beginning of August. Outside, it will have nearly sixty plum trees. When will you visit me again? I really look forward to such a visit.
With greetings. Hastily written on the fourth day after the Dragon Boat Festival.
(4) To my esteemed disciple Bi-Che:
I haven’t heard from you these past two years. I sent you two letters, but they were returned. The address must have been wrong.
Mr. [Li] Zulai visited me and brought news about you, making me ever more anxious for you to visit the United States. You can stay at my house. I understand that the U.S. consulate wants me to write a letter inviting you. What are the requirements for the letter? Perhaps you can write a draft and mail it to me? I will then revise it. I have consistently hoped that you can come visit at an early date. My eye problem requires three months to clear up enough so that I can read and paint. At present my vision is blurry.
(5) “Goodbye, Argentina,” a lyric (ci) to the tune of “Yujiexing”
I ask the spring breeze, Who is in charge? Always teaching people, day in and day out without attachment. First you call for clear skies; then you bring rain. Petals drop, and flowers bloom. Are you the one who causes it all?
The boat moves slowly, leaving the river bank. A pair of scissors cannot cut the threads of a thousand worries. I bear my tears without a word and wave my hand. The river is long and the mountain is high. Nothing is planned.
“Climbing Corcovado Mountain,” a lyric (ci) to the tune of “Dielianhua”
Laozi during his life gracefully accepted his lot and took delight in following his fate. He lived a hundred years quite pleasantly. I eat well, converse well, and also walking well. In climbing the tower, who says that I must do this in my native country?
To take in fine scenery, one must live there for a while. I bought an uncultivated piece of land and assigned some gardening tasks to my son. In addition to bamboo, I planted several Chinese Sycamore trees. There the old phoenix perches and spends his remaining days.
Recently I composed two lyrics for you to see how my state of mind has changed these last two months and what it has become.