He Tianjian (1891-1977): Scholar and willows

Description:

China, inscription dated 1935
132,3 x 33 cm
Ink and light colours on paper, mounted as a hanging scroll. In this classical landscape composition, a scholar dressed in red plays a Qin instrument in the cool shadows of densely drawn willow trees. Above the misty middle ground, which creates a sense of depth and calm, a massive, darkly shaded mountain rises up in stark contrast. Entitled: Liu yin qin yun (Qin sounds in the Shade of the Willows). Dedication and dating: Qinghua xiansheng zheng zhi yihai bayue (For the correction of Mr Qinghua in the 8th month of the zihai year [1935]). Signature of the artist: He Tianjian. Seal of the artist: He Tianjian.
From an old Berlin private collection, collected before 2007 - Title strip labelled on the outside of the scroll: He Tianjian Liu yin qin yun jingzuo ruping zhencang (He Tianjian, Qin sounds in the Shade of the Willows, fine painting, Ruping Collection). Collection no.: 27. A collector's seal: Bote. Denoted: "Property: Helmut Poetter", "Ex Coll. Dr Kuo Juping, Berlin" (Guo Ruping, 1913-1992), "Guo Baisheng" - Good condition, only very minimally wear
He Tianjian was born in 1891 in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, and was a renowned painter and calligrapher. By the age of nine, he had already developed a keen interest in Chinese painting, drawing inspiration from the masterpieces of the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. He was one of the co-founders of the Shanghai Chinese Painting Society. In the 1930s, he was particularly known for his landscape paintings, elevating the Shanghai School of Painting to new heights. After 1949, he had the opportunity to travel to beautiful landscapes, which provided him with new inspiration for his artistic creation. In addition to domestic exhibitions, he exhibited his work in Denmark in 1959 and became a member of the Danish artists' association Corner. His work is among those included in the permanent collection of the National People's Congress Hall