Fine Chinese Paintings & Works of Art - 23rd November 2021
Lot 2005
XU BEIHONG (1895-1953)
Estimate £20,000 - £30,000 | Hammer £275000
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Description
XU BEIHONG (1895-1953)
WAR HORSE
A fine Chinese scroll painting, ink and colour on paper, inscribed, signed Beihong and dated dingchou year (1937), with two artist's seals, dedicated to Yu Dawei (1897-1993), the other inscription by Yu Dawei with one seal, dated 5th May 1943, given to Field Marshal Wavell as his 60th birthday, 130cm x 38cm.
Provenance: Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, KStJ, PC, 1883-1950, and thence by descent.
Yu Dawei (1897-1993) served as the Minister of Transport and National Defence and Lieutenant General of the Republic of China Army. He studied philosophy and mathematics at both Harvard and Berlin Universities. Yu later received a formal education in ballistics and artillery and played a crucial role in the modernization and reformation of the national military defence of the Republic of China.