Chu Teh-Chun (Zhu Dequn)

Signed in pinyin and Chinese (lower right); signed in pinyin and Chinese, titled and dated 7.7.1981 (reverse)
Executed in 1981

Acquired by the present owner from Galerie Adler, Paris

Overall is satisfactory visual condition. There is some wear to the paint at the edges of the canvas and craquelure across the surface of the painting but overall the condition of this work appears stable.
"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."

The 1980s were regarded as the pinnacle years of Chu Teh-Chun's career.  In 1988, Chu Teh-Chun had the opportunity to speak to the master Jacques Villon, with whom he most closely identified. Villon said that "the hardest years to paint are the first sixty years; it is only after the age of sixty that you will be entirely in your element...[when you reach eighty years old you will be able to]...finally pour out every issue of significance that lies in your heart, and freely express all the things in your heart that you wish to express."[1]  In this sale, Sotheby's will offer two exciting works created by Chu Teh-Chun in his sixties, L'Air Embrasé and Brightness, both of which were completed in 1981.

At the time of this work, Chu Teh-Chun had just obtained residency in France, and was accompanied by his life partner Dong Jingzhao, whom he married later that year.  With a happy home life, and with his work receiving international acclaim, there is no doubt that Chu Teh-Chun was content with his life.  The artist wields his large brush over the surface of the canvas using reddish-orange, fire-red, puplish-reds, yellows and greens; whether the colours are strong or soft, the artist's own emotions are revealed on the canvas, and Chu Teh-Chun creates a brilliant world that is full of character.  It is possible to look at the central part of the canvas, scattered with radiant patches of white and glass-like square blocks of brilliant colour, as a metaphor for the happiness of that time.  Like the title of the work, Chu Teh-Chun uses warm tones of colour to express his passion and enthusiasm, thus extending his feelings of contentment with life over the surface of the canvas.

Chu Teh-Chun's strong use of red can also be seen in the work Brightness.  In this work, black and dark blue are used as the background colours.  He moves his brush freely across the canvas, generously applying varying depths of orange paint, as well as pale blue and light green highlights to the canvas, as if dawn is breaking through the night sky.  Chu Teh-Chun moves the viewer with the lyricism of his brush and leaves the viewer boundless room for imagination and interpretation.  This work was written about and admired in the book Chu Teh-Chun by the important French art critic and writer Pierre Cabanne.    

[1] Overseas Chinese Fine Arts Series II: Chu Teh-chun, written by Liao Qiongfang, Artist Publishing Co., Taipei, January 1999, p. 56, 57