Pan Tianshou is using ink and color on large size papers and appears as the successor to Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong. He was director of the National Academy of Chinese Art (Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts) from 1945 to 1947 and again from 1957.
Pan desired to be a theorist of modernity and his style could not fit the official art. His arrest in 1966 by the Red Guards marks the end of his career. His line is spiky and aggressive to express the strength. The landscape only sketched in light colored areas is limited in the corners of the paper by bird, branch or rock.
Crows on a rock, 82 x 81 cm, made in 1956, is a fine example altogether of his theory of composition and of the originality of his artistic expression of animals. This work was sold for RMB 27.6M including premium by Poly on 3 December 2012.
Two eagles on a rock, 72 x 241 cm, made in 1959, was sold for RMB 47M including premium by Poly on 5 December 2011. The beautifully drawn birds appear both active and intelligent.
On November 15 in Beijing, China Guardian sells two artworks by Pan Tianshou.
Lot 1262, titled Dawn, 144 x 195 cm, made in 1961, is estimated RMB 52M. It features an eagle with a terrible head, as if he were concerned about his future. The artist is indeed well away from the idealized animals by Xu Beihong.
Lot 1261, titled Pine, 207 x 151 cm, made in 1964, shows the king of trees in an enveloping and dominant position. This work is estimated RMB 68M.
RESULTS including premium :
Dawn SOLD for RMB yuan 69M
Pine SOLD for RMB yuan 93M