ZHU Qizhan

(China 1890–1996)

Title

Everlasting celebration

Alternative title:

Pumpkins

Place of origin

China

Year

1963

Media category

Painting

Materials used

hanging scroll; ink and colour on paper

Dimensions

137.0 x 68.0cm

Signature & date

Signed and dated c.r to l.r., in Chinese, inscribed in black ink, 'the Autumn of the year of Guimao (1963)…Zhu Qizhan…" Signed l.r., in Chinese, stamped in red ink “Zhu Qizhan[artist's seal]". Signed l.r. (lower), in Chinese, stamped in red ink "Zhu Qizhan [artist's seal]".

Credit

Purchased with funds provided by Goldie Sternberg 1985

Accession number

397.1985

Location

Not on display

Further information

'Born in Jiangsu province in southern China, Zhu Qizhan was always closely associated with Shanghai. He was professor at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and also served as head of the city's Xinhua Art College. He lived to a remarkable age and his 100th birthday in 1990 was celebrated with major exhibitions of his work in China and Hong Kong. Zhu is best known for his vibrant and expressive paintings of flowers, plants and fruit. Particularly characteristic is the spontaneous - even playful - and exuberant brushwork employing broad washes of ink and colour, full wet strokes and attenuated dry brushstrokes. Such variety in the brushwork is the hallmark of Zhu's style. The inscription on this scroll states that it was painted in the autumn of 'guimao' year (1963) in the 'Meihua caotang' (plum blossom thatched studio) in Shanghai.'

Bibliography (2)

'Modern Chinese Paintings in the Art Gallery of New South Wales: The Shanghai School and its Impact' by Edmund Capon, pg. 104-109., Orientations Sep 2000, Sep 2000, 109 (colour illus.). fig.8

'The Shanghai School and Modern Painting', The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales 2003, 2003, 172 (colour illus.).

Exhibition history (2)

Chinese Painting, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 27 Nov 1991–27 Jan 1992.

Great gifts, great patrons, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 17 Aug 1994–19 Oct 1994.