Huang Binhong (1864-1955), Recluse in the mountains

This section showcases the property of the British diplomat George Walden (b. 1939). Walden graduated from the Cambridge University and later pursued further studies at the Moscow University. In 1962, he joined the British Foreign Office, embarking on a diplomatic career that spanned over two decades. In 1965, he studied Chinese at the University of Hong Kong, and later served as a Second Secretary in the office of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Beijing. After 1970, he held various positions including the First Secretary at the British Embassy in France and Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. After leaving the Foreign Office, he entered the Parliament and served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for three consecutive terms from 1983 to 1997. As a prolific writer, Walden has written numerous columns and authored more than ten books over the years.

During his tenure in Beijing from 1967 to 1970, at the height of the Cultural Revolution, Walden, with a deep enthusiasm towards Chinese art, viewed curio shops as peaceful oases amid the turbulent environment. He frequented these shops, especially the glass factories, and amassed a number of artworks from these locations. His collection primarily consists of works by known artists from the late Qing Dynasty, selected based on personal interest and taste rather than their fame. Close to half of the collection comprises works by notable Beijing artists of the 20^th century, including “Recluse in the mountains” by Huang Binhong and “Magnolia” by Wu Changshuo, which exude a strong sense of jinshi style, distinct from the Western art, reflecting Walden's unique taste. The collection also features works by paintings of blossoms by Pu Hua, “Calligraphy in Jiaguwen” by Dong Zuobin, works by Wang Zhen, Wang Mengbai, Pu Jin, Jin Cheng and others, each showcasing its uniqueness, while offering a comprehensive view of the artistic scene of old Beijing.

The above background was depicted in Walden's autobiography, where he reminisces about his experiences acquiring paintings and calligraphy from curio shops and his interactions with the shop staff. His writing is humorous and vivid, providing a glimpse into the social environment of the time and his profound understanding of Chinese culture.

Most works from the collection retain their original mounting from the 1960s or earlier, and many still bear labels from the antique shops and receipts from the time of purchase. Some pieces were included in a small exhibition held in December 1968 at the British Embassy in Beijing, where they were displayed alongside the collections of diplomats from Britain, France, Sweden, and other countries. The exhibition was only open to embassy staff and foreign journalists stationed in China. Since Walden returned to the UK, the collection remained hidden from the public eye for over half a century until now!