Zeng Xiaojun

executed in 2004
signed JUN and with two seals of the artist

Xinyuan Moji Zeng Xiaojun, People's Fine Arts Publishing, Beijing, China, 2005, p. 226
Kuo, Jason C., Chinese Ink Painting Now, Distributed Art Publishers, New York, USA; Timezone 8, Hong Kong, China, 2010, p.60

Overall in good condition. There are minor creases and undulation to the paper, which can be improved with remounting or re-framing. Framed size: 206.8 x 182.5 cm; 81 3/8 x 71 7/8 in.
"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."

 "I am interested in everything to do with nature, especially wooden objects because I believe wood and human beings share an intrinsic connection. Stone, in contrast, can be insensitive. Hence, I see the universe in wood and stone from two very different perspectives... Moreover, everytime I draw these natural objects, or even look at them, I feel emancipated from both society and the city."—Zeng Xiaojun, 2013 

Born in Beijing and a graduate of Beijing's Central Art and Craft Academy in 1981, Zeng Xiaojun is a contemporary exemplar of the Ming scholar artist. Connoisseur, authority on classical Chinese furniture, collector of scholar's rocks and all things wood, and furniture maker himself, Zeng is a contemporary exponent of painting old trees, a tradition distinct from landscape painting. He is a portrait painter and his subjects are old, twisted trees that have survived the vicissitudes of man, nature and time.

Zeng Xiaojun's Vines Planted by Wen Zhengming (Lot 526) harkens back to a rich and familiar well of cultural history for Zeng. The Ming dynasty scholar Wen Zhengming (1470–1559) was a strong traditionalist and exceptional painter, recognized for emphasis on brushwork and restrained tonal coloring. He is also credited with having originally planted wisteria vines in the famous Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou.

Wen is an important influence for Zeng, and the two share an affinity for depicting tangled networks of roots and branches. Wen's painting Old Pine Tree, currently held in the Cleveland Museum of Art, is regarded as a superior example of Ming dynasty scholar art. The horizontal scroll painting "exemplifies the momentum of the branches, and the dark and light contrast is one of the best examples of diversity in ink art."¹ The present lot is also exceptional for achieving similar degrees of momentum and contrast; it was one of the forerunners to a later Zeng painting of the Vines that sold in these rooms in 2014.²

Similarly, Zeng's Ancient Ivy in the Villa Giulia of Rome (Lot 527), with its depiction of twisted roots and entangled vines via the rhythmic abstraction of wet and dry brush strokes and warm and cool ink tones—is also reminiscent of the Ming dynasty master. Completed in 2012, the final iteration of Old Vines on Juliet's Villa was prominently exhibited at the prestigious Musee Guimet in Paris on the occasion of showcasing the collection and paintings by Zeng Xiaojun. (See installation view at the Musee Guimet).

Zeng's work is in the collections of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and other prominent museums and major private collections in both Asia and the United States. His work has been exhibited at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, the Today Art Museum, Beijing and Musée Guimet, Paris. 

¹ Cleveland Museum of Art, Collection ID: 1964.43
² Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7 April 2014, lot 3633 (LOT SOLD. 2,440,000 HKD (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium))