Beschreibung:

QI BAISHI (1863-1957) AND QI GONG (1912-2005)
QI BAISHI (1863-1957) AND QI GONG (1912-2005) The Namo Amitabha Buddha and Calligraphy A set of three scrolls, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper Painting measures 94 x 43.8 cm. (37 x 17 1/4 in.) Each calligraphy measures 94 x 23 cm. (37 x 9 in.) Painting inscribed and signed, with two seals of Qi Baishi Dated spring, dingchou year (1937) Calligraphy signed, with three seals of Qi Gong Note: Qi began figure painting at the young age of eight. He was friendly with Daoist priests in his village in his youth and painted religious murals and worked as a carpenter and a sculptor for the temple. This early experience helped enhance his artistic oeuvre and creativity, as well as his understanding of this popular genre. Qi Baishi painted the present lot in the spring of 1937. The artists depiction may seem unorthodox for the subject matter, but Qis ability to convey the essence of the form of the Buddha with a few strokes demonstrates his familiarity with the form. He created an original image that is highly personal yet effective in conveying the spirit of the form in its entirety. Qi conveyed a sense of his characteristic na?ve style in the austere expression of the Buddha that is distinctly amicable and impressionable. Accompanying the painting is an excellent calligraphy couplet by Qi Gong, whose writing perfectly complements Qi Baishis style of painting. During a visit to Hong Kong, Qi Gong was said to have seen this particular painting by Qi Baishi and was so moved by it that he felt compelled to write this couplet to match it. The present lot offers the combined excellence of both masters in depicting this important religious subject. (3)