- 1035
GUAN LIANG | Elbe River Bank
Estimate
700,000 - 1,000,000 HKD
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Description
- Guan Liang
- Elbe River Bank
- signed in Chinese
- oil on canvas
- 40 by 49.5 cm; 15 ¾ by 19 ½ in.
executed in 1957
Provenance
Collection of the artist's family
China Guardian, Beijing, 7 May 2000, Lot 2
Acquired directly from the above by the present important private Asian collector
China Guardian, Beijing, 7 May 2000, Lot 2
Acquired directly from the above by the present important private Asian collector
Exhibited
Shanghai, Shanghai Art Museum, Guan Liang, 12-26 May 1982
Literature
Xue Jianhua, ed., Guan Liang, People’s Fine Arts Publishing House, Shanghai, 2009, p. 62
CANS Art News Editing Team, ed., Guan Liang 1900 - 1986, Chinese Art Books Co., Taipei, 2012, p.139
CANS Art News Editing Team, ed., Guan Liang 1900 - 1986, Chinese Art Books Co., Taipei, 2012, p.139
Condition
The work is overall in good condition.Examination under UV light reveals very minor signs of retouching to the extreme edges of the canvas.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Journey to East Germany
In 1957, China and East Germany signed an agreement for cultural exchange. East Germany soon hosted a large-scale Chinese-themed exhibition, and Guan Liang and Li Keran were among the Chinese representatives who attended the opening ceremony in Berlin. This was Guan Liang’s first visit to Europe. During this trip, an exhibition was held for the artist at the Academie der Künste in Berlin, where his work was enthusiastically received. Following the exhibition, the Leipzig publishing house, Insel Verlag, established in 1901, published a German catalogue of the artist’s Beijing opera characters. This volume became No. 692 of the Insel-Bücherei and further establishes Guan Liang’s trip to East Germany as a career milestone, marking his entrance into the Western art world. On that very trip, the artist used the opportunity to see more of the landscape of the Western world, which resulted in the German Landscape series. Elbe River Bank (Lot 1035) is included in this series. Located in the Sudetes Mountain Ranges at the intersection of the Czech Republic and Poland, the Elbe River serves as an important European shipping channel. In the painting, the artist implements a bird’s eye view, capturing the scenery on both banks of the river. On the level terrain sit classic German houses with pointed roofs, the ships passing calmly upon the water. The water and the sky are both rendered in silver tones, creating an atmosphere of simplicity and quiet. Using large xieyi brushstrokes, the artist has created a peaceful and contented scene.
In 1957, China and East Germany signed an agreement for cultural exchange. East Germany soon hosted a large-scale Chinese-themed exhibition, and Guan Liang and Li Keran were among the Chinese representatives who attended the opening ceremony in Berlin. This was Guan Liang’s first visit to Europe. During this trip, an exhibition was held for the artist at the Academie der Künste in Berlin, where his work was enthusiastically received. Following the exhibition, the Leipzig publishing house, Insel Verlag, established in 1901, published a German catalogue of the artist’s Beijing opera characters. This volume became No. 692 of the Insel-Bücherei and further establishes Guan Liang’s trip to East Germany as a career milestone, marking his entrance into the Western art world. On that very trip, the artist used the opportunity to see more of the landscape of the Western world, which resulted in the German Landscape series. Elbe River Bank (Lot 1035) is included in this series. Located in the Sudetes Mountain Ranges at the intersection of the Czech Republic and Poland, the Elbe River serves as an important European shipping channel. In the painting, the artist implements a bird’s eye view, capturing the scenery on both banks of the river. On the level terrain sit classic German houses with pointed roofs, the ships passing calmly upon the water. The water and the sky are both rendered in silver tones, creating an atmosphere of simplicity and quiet. Using large xieyi brushstrokes, the artist has created a peaceful and contented scene.