Wu Guanzhong

THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS MAY BE REQUESTED BY SOTHEBY'S TO COMPLETE THE PRE-REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM AND TO DELIVER TO SOTHEBY'S A DEPOSIT OF HK$1,000,000, OR SUCH OTHER HIGHER AMOUNT AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY SOTHEBY'S, AND ANY FINANCIAL REFERENCES, GUARANTEES AND/OR SUCH OTHER SECURITY AS SOTHEBY'S MAY REQUIRE IN ITS ABSOLUTE DISCRETION AS SECURITY FOR THEIR BID. THE BIDnow ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR PREMIUM LOTS.
signed in Chinese, titled and dated 1989; signed in Chinese, titled and dated 1989 on the reverse
executed in 1989.

Private Asian Collection

Tokyo, Seibu Department Store, Wu Guanzhong, 1989
Singapore; Hong Kong; Taipei, Plum Blossoms, Odyssey Wu Guanzhong, April 28 - May 31, 1990

Tokyo, Seibu Department Store, Wu Guanzhong, 1989, p. 6, illustrated in colour
Odyssey Wu Guanzhong, Plum Blossoms, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 138, 193, illustrated in colour
Shui Tianzhong and Wang Hua, ed., The Complete Works of Wu Guanzhong Vol. III, Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House, Hunan, 2007, p. 268, 269, illustrated in colour

 

This work is in excellent condition overall. There is a slight hair stick in the lower left portion of the canvas. There is no evidence of restoration under UV.
"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."

As the Museum of French History, Palace of Versailles used to be a royal chateau where Louis XII and Louis XIV once lived. In the 18^th century, it was the most luxurious palace in the world and was famous for its magnificent classical architecture with a beautiful garden covering 100 hectare and a 1.5 km long artificial canal crossing through. In Versailles, the artist depicts a corner of the palace's garden filled with temples, marble sculptures and classical columns. Even though time has passed by quickly, three immutable marble statues still stand quietly and calm in varying directions. The branches of trees in the background grow freely and the wavering shapes of the statues reveal the erosion and the rhythm of the winds. Wu uses the wrinkling and rubbing skills in Chinese painting to paint the forest, integrating the unique character in Chinese painting with the Western medium and subject matter into his art. The hidden white arch bridge on the right side seems to extend outside the painting into space and also echoes the colour of the statues in the foreground. In this work, Wu eternalizes the beauty of his journey to Versailles with his skillful painting techniques.