A Chinese 'crane' painting attributed to Zhao Mengfu (Chinese, 1254-1332) The painting, which has a signature and seal, depicts a pair of cranes; on silk. Sold with associated wooden box. H: 36 3/4, W: 18 in. (H: 93.30, W: 45.70 cm. (sight, approximately)) Copy the following link for high resolution images: oag.smugmug.com/161-Chinese-Painting-and-Calligraphy
趙孟頫 Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322 AD) of the Yuan Dynasty, “Horse inspection”, - Large antique Chinese painting, certified The painting was framed under plexiglass, many years ago. It appears to be in ink and color on silk; may be laid down on board (I have not had it out of the frame). Some toning and minor cracks in silk, none affecting main scene. • 尺寸 Dimensions：画芯 painting area 93 x 39 cm; • 画芯包含题字 Painting area including all inscriptions around: 145 cm x 55 cm; • 卷轴 overall size including frame: 159 cm x 63 cm Provenance and location: Private collection in Alabama, USA. Acquired in Europe or the Middle East shortly after WW II. The painting is surrounded by inscriptions by Zhao Mengfu and another 9 famous painters and calligraphers from Yuan and Ming dynasties: 1. Inscription from Zhao Mengfu (courtesy name: Zi Ang): 大德二年秋七月画于松雪斋 子昂 It was painted by Zi Ang in Song Xue Zhai in July of the autumn of the second year of Da De Yuan dynasty. 2. 天马西来入帝关，风騣雾鬣驳文班。房星一夜光如水，却怨龙媒万里还。泰定二年冬十月既望日观并题袁桷 This poem was inscribed by Yuan Jue in Oct. of the winter of the second year of Da De Yuan dynasty, it depicts a picture of Pegasus returning from afar, and although it brings brilliance, it carries a resentful emotions. 3. 永乐三年岁在乙酉五月二十八日，使臣颁到御书浩诫一道，又赐臣棡真德秀大学衍义一部、赵孟頫画马一轴。臣棡对使三肅望阙叩恩敬谨祇领讫，仰见皇上，亲亲之谊有加，无已谨识，岁月俾子孙世守 This is a message from government of May.28th of the third year of Yong Le period of Ming dynasty, the officer was very honored to receive an official letter Yu Shu Hao Jie, a book Gang Zhen De Xiu Da Xue Yan Yi and this painting from government, the officer is very grateful to emperor and will keep well of these with his descendants. 4. 松雪聪明冰雪姿，尤欢画马称当时。以其余力墨痕扫，电掣星驰曷过之。许生何幸得品骘，牝牡骊黄具真识。大梁市肆杂风尘，一时相顾惊物色。世问每叹知音稀，千载云龙迹欲飞。常郡邵宝观并题 This is a poem inscribed by Shao Bao in Shao Bao Guan of Chang Jun area, Shao Bao thought Zhao Mengfu was very talented especially in painting horses, and this painting was one of the best horses paintings Zhao Mengfu painted in his life, he felt very honored to see it. 5. 隅目晶荧耳竹披，江南流落乘黄姿。千金价重无人识，笑看胡儿买去骑。延陵吴宽题 This poem was inscribed by Wu Kuan in Yan Lin area, by depicting a neglected horse, although it is worth a thousand gold, but because it is not known by the world, it is lost to the south of the Yangtze River, and is finally bought by the Hu people to ride. The poem's "Bamboo Drape with Crystal Eyes and Ears" vividly depicts the horse's physical characteristics, while "Jiangnan Wandering Ride Yellow Posture" expresses the situation of this horse wandering to Jiangnan because it is not appreciated. Then, "The price of a thousand gold is unrecognized" emphasizes the high value of this horse, but no one can recognize its true valueFinally, "Laughing at Hu'er to buy and ride" is a detached attitude, watching this good horse being bought and ridden by people who don't know how to appreciate it, revealing a feeling of impermanence and the uselessness of heroes. 6. 天启二年夏五月余在吴门客观得眺赵荣禄此轴不忍释手因识以记岁月耳竹嬾李日华This message means Li Rihua was very honored to see this amazing painting in Wu Men area in May of Summer of the second year of Tian Qi period of Ming dynasty, Li Rihua left the message and stamp to this memory. 7. 大宛直在玉阙西，万里风沙入骏蹄。一自殿前随杖立，垂头不肯向人嘶。嘉靖壬寅清和上澣茂苑文嘉题 In the twenty-first year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1542 AD) in the first fourth lunar month, Wen Jia inscribed this poem in the area of Suzhou. The poem depicts a picture of the horse and its condition, and it contains a deep meaning. We can parse its meaning sentence by sentence: Dawan is straight in the west of Yuque, and thousands of miles of wind and sand enter the horse's hooves. 8. 嘉靖壬寅初夏同王禄之得观于双桂堂中，彭年 This message means Peng Nian saw this painting with Wang Luzhi together in Shuang Gui Tang in Summer of Ren Yin year of Jia Jing period of Ming dynasty. 9. 王孙画马世无敌，一画一回飞霹雳。千里长风入彩毫，平沙碧草春无迹。砚池想走渥洼产，突然走出白鼻䯄。翻涛浴浪动光彩，云影满身堆玉花。玉花连钱汗血流，骏尾捎风蹄踣铁。何时骑得似画中，踏破阴山古时雪.长洲沈周题 This poem was inscribed by Shen Zhou in Chang Zhou area, it depicts a vivid picture of horses. The first sentence "Wang Sun's painting of horses is invincible" praises the painter Zhao Songxue's superb painting skills, which no one can match. The following "Flying Thunderbolt" vividly shows the dynamic power of the horses in the painting, as if galloping like thunder on the canvas. "A Thousand Miles of Wind into Color" depicts horses galloping in the wind, with vivid brushstrokes, as if the wind was also captured in the painting. Then, "Flat Sand and Green Grass in Spring" depicts the vast grassland and the breath of spring, highlighting the scene of horses galloping freely. 10. 雾鬣云鬃出帝闲，谁将图画落人间。奚官饱牧无余事，独立春风忆丛山。吴门张渥题 This poem was inscribed here by Zhang Wo from Wu Men area. The poem depicts a vivid picture of the emperor's leisure time and an official's independent thinking in the spring breeze. 11. 草细泉香野色新，五花骄气散春云。昂头似忆当年事，立仗淩寒夜正分。至正十年八月梅途人吴镇题 This poem was inscribed by Wu Zhen in August of the tenth year of Zhi Zheng perod of Yuan dynasty, it depicts a vivid picture of horse herding, full of pastoral and historical charm. Auction results: 1) Zhao Mengfu (attributed to) - Essay in running script, Ink on silk, 9.7” x 5.6”= 24.7 cm x 14.2 cm, Sotheby’s, China, Hong Kong, Estimate: 600,000 -900,000 HKD = $778,200 - $1,167,300 USD; 2) Zhao Mengfu, Horses and grooms, ink colors, 35”x 63”, -Bonham’s Hong Kong, 04/03/2018- Sold for 800,000 HKD = 1,037,600 USD; 3) Zhao Mengfu, Duren Sutra, -Christies, China, Hong Kong, 05/29/2006, ink 10” x 12”, - Sold for 200,000 HKD = $259,400 USD; 4) Zhao Mengfu (attributed to), Horse and groom, Christie’s, China, Hong Kong, ink and color on silk, 13” x 10.6” = 33cm x 27cm, Sold for 162,500 HKD = $210,762 USD; 5) Zhao Mengfu. Correspondence 05/28/2018, Ink, - Sold for 80,000 HKD = $103,760 USD; 6) Zhao Mengfu. Running script calligraphy, Christies, China, Hong Kong, 05/28/2018, Sold for 437,500 HKD = $567,437 USD; 7) Zhao Mengfu. Eight horses hand rolled, Est-Ouest Auctions, Hong Kong, 05/31/2014, painting, 78”x13”, - Sold for $38,210 USD Zhao Mengfu (Chinese: 趙孟頫; pinyin: Zhào Mèngfǔ; Wade–Giles: Chao Meng-fu; courtesy name Zi'ang (子昂); pseudonyms Songxue (松雪, "Pine Snow"), Oubo (鷗波, "Gull Waves"), and Shuijing-gong Dao-ren (水精宮道人, "Master of the Water Spirits Palace"); 1254–1322), was a Chinese calligrapher, painter, and scholar during the Yuan dynasty.[1] He was a descendant of the Song dynasty's imperial family through Emperor Xiaozong's brother Zhao Bogui who married a lady surnamed Song who was the granddaughter of Emperor Huizong. Zhao Bogui was a descendant of Emperor Taizu, through his son Zhao Defang. He was recommended by the Censor-in-chief Cheng Jufu [zh] to pay an audience with Kublai Khan in 1286 at the Yuan capital of Dadu, but was not awarded an important position in office. His work was however, greatly appreciated later by the Confucian-inspired Yuan Emperor Renzong. Zhao was a member of the "Academy of Worthies".[2] He was married to Guan Daosheng, who was also an accomplished poet, painter and calligrapher. His rejection of the refined, gentle brushwork of his era in favour of the cruder style of the eighth century is considered to have brought about a revolution that created the modern Chinese landscape painting. He was known for his paintings of horses. His landscapes are also considered to be done in a style that focuses more on a literal laying of ground. Rather than organizing them in a foreground, middle ground, and background pattern he layers middle grounds at various heights to create a sense of depth. This pattern of organization makes his paintings appear very simple and approachable. It was this characteristic that so many people valued about his style. One of his most celebrated landscape paintings is exhibited at the Princeton University Art Museum with the title “The Mind Landscape of Xie Youyu” (幼輿丘壑), an allusion to the nature-loving scholar-official Xie Youyu (280–322). However, in 2019 Dutch scholar Lennert Gesterkamp argued that the colophon attached to the painting and mentioning Xie Youyu is a forgery, and that in fact Zhao Mengfu's intention was to honor his own spiritual master, Daoist scholar Du Daojian (1237–1318), who also celebrated nature.[3] Zhao Mengfu had several sons with his wife Guan Daosheng. His second son, Zhao Yong, also became a famous painter and calligrapher. He was also the maternal grandfather of Wang Meng, another famous painter. Zhao Mengfu was related to the later Ming dynasty literary figure Zhao Yiguang and his son Zhao Jun.[4]
趙孟頫; Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322 AD) of the Yuan Dynasty, “Horse inspection”, - Large antique Chinese painting. The painting itself is surrounded by inscriptions by Zhao Mengfu. The painting was framed under glass, many years ago. It appears to be in ink and color on silk; may be laid down on board (I have not had it out of the frame). Some toning and minor cracks in silk, none affecting main scene. Size: About 62” x 22” = 157.5 cm x 56 cm; Provenance and location: Private collection in Alabama, USA. Acquired in Europe or the Middle East shortly after WW II. Auction results: 1) Zhao Mengfu (attributed to) - Essay in running script, Ink on silk, 9.7” x 5.6”= 24.7 cm x 14.2 cm, Sotheby’s, China, Hong Kong, Estimate: 600,000 -900,000 HKD = $778,200 - $1,167,300 USD; 2) Zhao Mengfu, Horses and grooms, ink colors, 35”x 63”, -Bonham’s Hong Kong, 04/03/2018- Sold for 800,000 HKD = 1,037,600 USD; 3) Zhao Mengfu, Duren Sutra, -Christies, China, Hong Kong, 05/29/2006, ink 10” x 12”, - Sold for 200,000 HKD = $259,400 USD; 4) Zhao Mengfu (attributed to), Horse and groom, Christie’s, China, Hong Kong, ink and color on silk, 13” x 10.6” = 33cm x 27cm, Sold for 162,500 HKD = $210,762 USD; 5) Zhao Mengfu. Correspondence 05/28/2018, Ink, - Sold for 80,000 HKD = $103,760 USD; 6) Zhao Mengfu. Running script calligraphy, Christies, China, Hong Kong, 05/28/2018, Sold for 437,500 HKD = $567,437 USD; 7) Zhao Mengfu. Eight horses hand rolled, Est-Ouest Auctions, Hong Kong, 05/31/2014, painting, 78”x13”, - Sold for $38,210 USD. Biography: Zhao Mengfu (Chinese: 趙孟頫; pinyin: Zhào Mèngfǔ; Wade–Giles: Chao Meng-fu; courtesy name Zi'ang (子昂); pseudonyms Songxue (松雪, "Pine Snow"), Oubo (鷗波, "Gull Waves"), and Shuijing-gong Dao-ren (水精宮道人, "Master of the Water Spirits Palace"); 1254–1322), was a Chinese calligrapher, painter, and scholar during the Yuan dynasty.[1] He was a descendant of the Song dynasty's imperial family through Emperor Xiaozong's brother Zhao Bogui who married a lady surnamed Song who was the granddaughter of Emperor Huizong. Zhao Bogui was a descendant of Emperor Taizu, through his son Zhao Defang. He was recommended by the Censor-in-chief Cheng Jufu [zh] to pay an audience with Kublai Khan in 1286 at the Yuan capital of Dadu, but was not awarded an important position in office. His work was however, greatly appreciated later by the Confucian-inspired Yuan Emperor Renzong. Zhao was a member of the "Academy of Worthies".[2] He was married to Guan Daosheng, who was also an accomplished poet, painter and calligrapher. His rejection of the refined, gentle brushwork of his era in favour of the cruder style of the eighth century is considered to have brought about a revolution that created the modern Chinese landscape painting. He was known for his paintings of horses. His landscapes are also considered to be done in a style that focuses more on a literal laying of ground. Rather than organizing them in a foreground, middle ground, and background pattern he layers middle grounds at various heights to create a sense of depth. This pattern of organization makes his paintings appear very simple and approachable. It was this characteristic that so many people valued about his style. One of his most celebrated landscape paintings is exhibited at the Princeton University Art Museum with the title “The Mind Landscape of Xie Youyu” (幼輿丘壑), an allusion to the nature-loving scholar-official Xie Youyu (280–322). However, in 2019 Dutch scholar Lennert Gesterkamp argued that the colophon attached to the painting and mentioning Xie Youyu is a forgery, and that in fact Zhao Mengfu's intention was to honor his own spiritual master, Daoist scholar Du Daojian (1237–1318), who also celebrated nature.[3] Zhao Mengfu had several sons with his wife Guan Daosheng. His second son, Zhao Yong, also became a famous painter and calligrapher. He was also the maternal grandfather of Wang Meng, another famous painter. Zhao Mengfu was related to the later Ming dynasty literary figure Zhao Yiguang and his son Zhao Jun.[4]
ZHAO MENGFU, ATTRIBUTED TO, MAN AND HORSE, Mounted and unframed, ink on silk, Source of Legend: Previously collected by Meijing cottage with imperial inscriptions by Qianlong, inscriptions and postscripts by Zhang Zongcang, and many collection seals , 32×53cm
ZHAO MENGFU, ATTRIBUTED TO, PAVILIONS BUILT IN MOUNTAINS .Hanging scrolls, ink on silk.Provenance:Previous Collection of Aisin Gioro Pu Ru.104.5×52cm，shitang:：15×51.5cm
ZHAO MENGFU, ATTRIBUTED TO, LANDSCAPE,101×53cm, Provenance: Previously collected by Yue Jun. Hanging scroll, ink on silk.Condition:There are creases, stains and yellow spots on the frame and painting.
ZHAO MENGFU, ATTRIBUTED TO, HORSE WASHING. Hanging scroll, ink on silk. 114×41cm. Provenance: Formerly collected by Qian Jingtang. Condition: There are creases, stains and yellow spots on the frame and painting.
ZHAO MENGFU, ATTRIBUTED TO, MAN AND HORSE 32×53cm, Provenance: Precious collection from Meijing Library. Attached are Qianlong's imperial inscriptions, Zhang Zongcang's inscriptions and postscripts, and several collector's seals.. Mounted and unframed, ink on silk.
赵孟頫 老绢本晏园课读图 手卷 长卷 王澍、梁国治题跋 成亲王、林则徐、司马钟、王仁堪、包栋题后跋 精装裱 Zhao Mengfu's old silk version of Yan Garden lesson reading hand scroll Wang Shu, Liang Guozhi, Prince Cheng of the First Rank, Lin Zexu, Sima Zhong, Wang Renkan, Bao Dong, the postscript behind the postscript, are carefully mounted
元 赵孟頫(子昂) (1254 - 1322) 青绿山水说道图 设色水墨卷本镜心（三幅） 款识：大德九年（1305年）仲春吉日 子昂 钤印：(赵氏子昂) Zhao Mengfu Yuan Dynasty Landscape with Figures in Three Parts, Framed Dated 1305 Signed Zhao Mengfu and with one artist seal
趙孟頫 馬 Ink and color on silk, vertical scroll. The painting depicts a three men standing next to a horse, inspecting its details, artist signature and mark Zhao Mengfu on the right side, additional colophon on top. Zhao Mengfu: ink and color on silk painting 'Horse'
ZHAO MENGFU (1254-1322) Heart Sutra Ink on paper, framed Signed Wuxing shan nanzi Zhao Mengfu, with three seals of the artist and three collectors' seals 23 x 61cm (9 x 24in)
ZHAO MENGFU,chinese landscape painting. Length:210cm; Width:35cm; ; China Arts Auction assumes no responsibility for verification of any labels on the Lot which is come originally from consignors. Absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.
