Description:
“CAT AND PEONY” BY WU GUICHEN (18TH-19TH CENTURY)
China, Qing dynasty. Humorous depiction of a black and white chubby cat in attentive posture atop a rock formation and amid peonies. The combination of cat, rock and peony is a traditional Chinese symbol for a long and prosperous life.
Provenance: From a private estate. By repute acquired at auction ca. 1970.
Condition: Wear, creases, soiling, losses. Overall still attractive and well-presentable condition.
Dimensions: 116 x 46 cm (the painting) and 127 x 55 cm (the frame)
Ink and watercolors on paper, mounted to a board with a brocade border, framed. Inscription, artist signature and two seal marks to upper left. A native of Jintan in today’s Jiangsu Province, Wu Guichen excelled in painting flowers, capturing their likeness in meticulous detail. She achieved great success and was able to support the entire family by selling her paintings while her husband Gu He was in military service in northwest China.
Auction result comparison: Compare with a related work by Wu Guichen at Christies Hong Kong on November 25th, 2014, in Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy, Lot 1096.
吳規臣(十八至十九世紀)《白貓牡丹圖》
中國,清代。生動描繪了胖乎乎的白貓趴在假山上欣賞牡丹的情景,取中國傳統中的福壽吉祥之意。
來源:私人遺產,據説1970年前後購於拍賣行。
品相:磨損、摺痕、污漬和缺損。整體品相可觀。
尺寸:116 x 46 厘米(畫面);127 x 55 厘米(縂)