QI BAISHI (1864-1957)
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : China Mountains in China Modern China Landscape Animals Bird
Chronology : 20th century 1920-1929 1920 1921 1925 1931 1940-1949 1942 1946
See also : China Mountains in China Modern China Landscape Animals Bird
Chronology : 20th century 1920-1929 1920 1921 1925 1931 1940-1949 1942 1946
Intro
The traditional Chinese graphic art is an uninterrupted series of imitations of the old masters. Bada Shanren's eccentric approach at the very beginning of the Qing dynasty is a rare exception.
Born in Hunan province into a family of poor peasants, Qi Baishi was self-taught. Settled in Beijing at the age of 53 in 1917, he drew inspiration from Bada Shanren to develop a vigorous and spontaneous line, reaching poetry through a free realism. His greatest innovation is the use of inks in very bright colors.
His themes are varied while being ordinary and peaceful : landscapes, trees, countless small things. He paints according to his own observations, is not interested in symbols and allegories and does not follow Bada Shanren in the rebellion.
Born in Hunan province into a family of poor peasants, Qi Baishi was self-taught. Settled in Beijing at the age of 53 in 1917, he drew inspiration from Bada Shanren to develop a vigorous and spontaneous line, reaching poetry through a free realism. His greatest innovation is the use of inks in very bright colors.
His themes are varied while being ordinary and peaceful : landscapes, trees, countless small things. He paints according to his own observations, is not interested in symbols and allegories and does not follow Bada Shanren in the rebellion.
1920 Flowers and Fruits
1
ex Hu Egong
2018 SOLD for RMB 92M by China Guardian
Qi Baishi settled in Beijing in 1917, aged 53. His art based on his travels and on his observation of nature reached a new maturity, encouraged by Wu Changshuo. A Ming predecessor was Xu Wei. Under the guidance of Chen Shizeng, he developed his vigorous style of red flowers and ink leaves.
Keen to protect his art, Qi Baishi was remaining away from politics, but he also managed to have republican leaders as patrons.
He dedicated in 1920 a set of four 178 x 49 cm hanging scrolls to Rong Ming, also known as Hu Egong, on the theme of flowers and fruits.
These four screens reportedly took four days of effort to paint the flowers and fruits of the four seasons. Loquats, lychees, beans, peonies, hibiscus, osmanthus, golden chrysanthemums and other auspicious flowers and fruits were included one by one. The branches are spreading, the flowers and leaves overcome one another. The colors are gorgeous, dense and thick.
This ink and color on paper was sold for RMB 92M by China Guardian on November 20, 2018, lot 312.
Keen to protect his art, Qi Baishi was remaining away from politics, but he also managed to have republican leaders as patrons.
He dedicated in 1920 a set of four 178 x 49 cm hanging scrolls to Rong Ming, also known as Hu Egong, on the theme of flowers and fruits.
These four screens reportedly took four days of effort to paint the flowers and fruits of the four seasons. Loquats, lychees, beans, peonies, hibiscus, osmanthus, golden chrysanthemums and other auspicious flowers and fruits were included one by one. The branches are spreading, the flowers and leaves overcome one another. The colors are gorgeous, dense and thick.
This ink and color on paper was sold for RMB 92M by China Guardian on November 20, 2018, lot 312.
2
ex Cao Kun
2022 SOLD for HK$ 79M by Sotheby's
Soon afterward Qi Baishi dedicated a set of flowers and fruits to a Mr Zhongshan who was to be from 1923 to 1924 as Cao Kun the President of the Republic of China.
That latter set is made of four hanging scrolls in ink and color on paper 284 x 64 cm each. The four panels respectively display Peaches, Loquats with plantain lilies, Pomegranates with plumed cockscombs and Grapes, each panel with a critical statement. In the Chinese tradition, these elements symbolize abundance, longevity and family wealth. Qi's unprecedented style is a dense composition in free brushwork and bright colors that nearly fills the whole surface of the paper.
They had possibly constituted a set of eight with a set of four with other plants (chrysanthemums, gourds, hibiscus, pine tree), currently kept at the Boston Museum of Art. This monumental size may be compared with the 1925 set of twelve landscapes 180 x 47 cm each sold for RMB 925M by Poly in 2017.
Flowers and fruits was sold for HK $ 79M from a lower estimate of HK $ 18M by Sotheby's on October 8, 2022, lot 9.
That latter set is made of four hanging scrolls in ink and color on paper 284 x 64 cm each. The four panels respectively display Peaches, Loquats with plantain lilies, Pomegranates with plumed cockscombs and Grapes, each panel with a critical statement. In the Chinese tradition, these elements symbolize abundance, longevity and family wealth. Qi's unprecedented style is a dense composition in free brushwork and bright colors that nearly fills the whole surface of the paper.
They had possibly constituted a set of eight with a set of four with other plants (chrysanthemums, gourds, hibiscus, pine tree), currently kept at the Boston Museum of Art. This monumental size may be compared with the 1925 set of twelve landscapes 180 x 47 cm each sold for RMB 925M by Poly in 2017.
Flowers and fruits was sold for HK $ 79M from a lower estimate of HK $ 18M by Sotheby's on October 8, 2022, lot 9.
1921 For the Album of Guangbin Feng
2021 SOLD for RMB 92M by Holly's
In 1921 Qi Baishi, signing Qi Huang, prepared an album of grass and insects for his friend Cao Kun. It is made of 16 paintings in ink and color on silk 25 x 32 cm each. The brushwork is exceptionally fine for this artist who preferred a modern stylization. The title, "For the album of Guangbin Feng", is a reference to a song from the Zhou dynasty.
The grass insect flips, sings, and leaps. The flipper folds its wings and the movement can be seen.
For the artist, these insects express a wonderful memory of childhood with their
It was sold for RMB 92M by Holly's on December 11, 2021, lot 53.
The grass insect flips, sings, and leaps. The flipper folds its wings and the movement can be seen.
For the artist, these insects express a wonderful memory of childhood with their
It was sold for RMB 92M by Holly's on December 11, 2021, lot 53.
1925 Twelve Landscapes
2017 SOLD for RMB 930M by Poly
Qi Baishi executed in 1925 a monumental series of twelve vertical panels in light blue, gray, brown and pink on paper 180 x 47 cm each. The simple graphic style is inspired from Bada Shanren of early Qing period amended by the teaching of Wu Changshuo. The painting technique combines outline and splashing of ink, with bright colors in between. Calligraphed poems are included.
They manage to express the variety of mountains, villages and blossoming trees, as evidenced by the twelve individual titles (Google translation from Chinese) : "Houses on the River", "Double Shadows of Rocks", "Lonely Sail on Banqiao", "Cypress Trees", "Afterglow on the Far Shore", "Pine Trees and White Houses", "Apricots" "Flower and Grass Hall", "Fir Tree Tower", "Deep Smoke and Shadow of Sail", "Spring Rain in the Mountains", "Mangroves and White Spring", "Bantang Lotus Fragrance".
The full set had been presented by the artist to a doctor in Beijing who specialized in treating senior Kuomintang officials and also artists and literati. It was sold for RMB 930M from a lower estimate of RMB 500M by Poly on December 17, 2017, lot 2806. The image is shared by China Daily.
There is only one other similar set. Painted in 1932, it is kept in a museum in Chongqing.
Response by Grok :
Quote
Melodies & Masterpieces @SVG__Collection Dec 27, 2023
Replying to @SVG__Collection
5. Qi Baishi - Twelve Landscape Screens (1925) Sold for: $140.8 million at Beijing Poly Auction (December 17, 2017)
They manage to express the variety of mountains, villages and blossoming trees, as evidenced by the twelve individual titles (Google translation from Chinese) : "Houses on the River", "Double Shadows of Rocks", "Lonely Sail on Banqiao", "Cypress Trees", "Afterglow on the Far Shore", "Pine Trees and White Houses", "Apricots" "Flower and Grass Hall", "Fir Tree Tower", "Deep Smoke and Shadow of Sail", "Spring Rain in the Mountains", "Mangroves and White Spring", "Bantang Lotus Fragrance".
The full set had been presented by the artist to a doctor in Beijing who specialized in treating senior Kuomintang officials and also artists and literati. It was sold for RMB 930M from a lower estimate of RMB 500M by Poly on December 17, 2017, lot 2806. The image is shared by China Daily.
There is only one other similar set. Painted in 1932, it is kept in a museum in Chongqing.
Response by Grok :
Quote
Melodies & Masterpieces @SVG__Collection Dec 27, 2023
Replying to @SVG__Collection
5. Qi Baishi - Twelve Landscape Screens (1925) Sold for: $140.8 million at Beijing Poly Auction (December 17, 2017)
- The artwork "Twelve Landscape Screens" by Qi Baishi, sold for $140.8 million in 2017, marks a historic moment as the first Chinese artwork to exceed $100 million at auction, reflecting a growing global appreciation for East Asian art driven by a 2010-2020 surge where Chinese art sales rose by 20% annually per Art Basel’s 2021 report.
- Created in 1925 when Qi Baishi was 62, this set of 12 ink paintings (each 180 x 47 cm) showcases his shift from floral subjects to diverse Chinese landscapes, influenced by his extensive travels, challenging the Western art market's historical focus on European masters like Leonardo da Vinci.
- The record-breaking sale at Beijing Poly Auction highlights China’s economic rise, with its art market overtaking the U.S. in 2016 (per TEFAF Art Market Report), suggesting cultural heritage is increasingly leveraged as a soft power tool, a trend supported by China’s $10 billion annual investment in cultural exports since 2015.
1931 So Close to the End of the World
2016 SOLD for RMB 196M by Poly
A set of 12 sketches 31.5 x 35 cm was created by Qi Baishi in 1931 in ink and color on paper. These simple and meaningful scenes are located in Xingning in far Southeastern China, possibly explaining the title So Close to the End of the World. They were assembled as an album in the 1950s.
Some of these landscapes are populated by rowers, grazing cattle, fish in the lotus pond, cormorants or a group of flying birds. Weather themes include After the rain and Rising sun. Rare houses also appear in the mountains.
It was sold for RMB 195M by China Guardian on November 13, 2011, for RMB 196M by Poly on December 4, 2016, lot 2024, and for RMB 145M by China Guardian on November 30, 2023, lot 2121. All the views are illustrated in a 2017 article shared by ChinaDaily.
Some of these landscapes are populated by rowers, grazing cattle, fish in the lotus pond, cormorants or a group of flying birds. Weather themes include After the rain and Rising sun. Rare houses also appear in the mountains.
It was sold for RMB 195M by China Guardian on November 13, 2011, for RMB 196M by Poly on December 4, 2016, lot 2024, and for RMB 145M by China Guardian on November 30, 2023, lot 2121. All the views are illustrated in a 2017 article shared by ChinaDaily.
Landscape with Banana Trees
2011 SOLD for RMB 93M by Hanhai
An undated hanging scroll by Qi Baishi featuring a landscape with banana trees is a bold composition, made in black ink in the whole foreground in front of two monochrome finger shaped mountains. Two dense ranges of banana trees extend before and beyond a cottage. It was sold for RMB 93M by Hanhai on November 17, 2011.
1942 Flowers and Insects
2009 SOLD for RMB 95M by Poly
An album of flowers and insects made in 1942 by Qi Baishi has been titled Unfortunately Silent by a connoisseur in an allusion to the fair rendering of flapping insects.
It is made of 12 pages in color on paper 29 x 23 cm plus a title page. Each painting is commented in calligraphy. It features common butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers attracted by lotus leaves and blooming flowers. The style is altogether vivid and candid.
This album was sold for RMB 95M by Poly on November 22, 2009, lot 997.
It is made of 12 pages in color on paper 29 x 23 cm plus a title page. Each painting is commented in calligraphy. It features common butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers attracted by lotus leaves and blooming flowers. The style is altogether vivid and candid.
This album was sold for RMB 95M by Poly on November 22, 2009, lot 997.
undated Album of Flowers, Grass and Insects
2015 SOLD for RMB 115M by Poly
An undated album of 18 color paintings of flowers, grass and icnsects on paper 32 x 26 cm had been made by Qi Baishi. In each piece the artist pairs a plant or an artefact, such as oil lamp, with a small animal, mostly insects. He portrays the plants with carefree strokes while giving meticulous attention to details when painting the tiny insects.
This set was sold for RMB 115M by Poly on December 6, 2015, lot 1192. The image is shared by China Daily. The title proposed by the auction house is The Sound is hidden in the Leaves.
An album of 16 leaves 18.5 x 26 cm on grass and insects painted in 1924 was sold for RMB 62M by Poly on June 3, 2011, lot 3133.
This set was sold for RMB 115M by Poly on December 6, 2015, lot 1192. The image is shared by China Daily. The title proposed by the auction house is The Sound is hidden in the Leaves.
An album of 16 leaves 18.5 x 26 cm on grass and insects painted in 1924 was sold for RMB 62M by Poly on June 3, 2011, lot 3133.
1946 Eagle
2011 SOLD for RMB 425M by China Guardian (unpaid)
A drawing by Qi Baishi had been auctioned for RMB 425M by China Guardian on May 22, 2011, lot 1192. It features an eagle standing in a pine tree.
The composition is bold : the bird is completely surrounded by branches, but its proud look makes it the focal point of this image of 266 x 100 cm, flanked by two stripes 66 cm wide. Each stripe includes a poem in four huge calligrams.
It is a political symbol. This eagle was made in 1946 to celebrate the birthday of Jiang Jieshi (pinyin for Chiang Kai-shek) after the defeat of Japan.
Two years after the sale by Chinese Antiques : the winning bidder has refused to pay for the piece since doubts were raised about its authenticity.
The composition is bold : the bird is completely surrounded by branches, but its proud look makes it the focal point of this image of 266 x 100 cm, flanked by two stripes 66 cm wide. Each stripe includes a poem in four huge calligrams.
It is a political symbol. This eagle was made in 1946 to celebrate the birthday of Jiang Jieshi (pinyin for Chiang Kai-shek) after the defeat of Japan.
Two years after the sale by Chinese Antiques : the winning bidder has refused to pay for the piece since doubts were raised about its authenticity.
undated Eagle on Rock
2017 SOLD for RMB 99M by China Guardian
A towering Eagle on rock, undated hanging scroll painted by Qi Baishi in ink and color on paper 316 x 70 cm, was sold for RMB 99M from a lower estimate of RMB 60M by China Guardian on December 18, 2017, lot 286.
1954 Ode to the Motherland
2012 SOLD for RMB 83M by Poly
In his old age, Qi Baishi's creativity was relaunched by a meeting with Chairman Mao. He went to believe in the victory of the people's revolution which he endeavored to express in images, especially welcoming the post war New China. Qi, who had lived his entire life as a commoner, was thence honored with an improved social and cultural status. It is said that he created more than 600 works in 1953 alone.
Ode to the Motherland, painted in 1954 while the artist went into his nineties, is a large size example of his new happy trend. An auspicious crane is standing in a vivid posture under a pine at a sea shore while a huge bright red sun is raising as a revolutionary hope over the horizon.
In the same year he presented to Mao another painting with a very similar composition and content.
This hanging scroll in color on paper 220 x 73 cm was sold for RMB 83M by Poly on December 3, 2012, lot 2251.
Ode to the Motherland, painted in 1954 while the artist went into his nineties, is a large size example of his new happy trend. An auspicious crane is standing in a vivid posture under a pine at a sea shore while a huge bright red sun is raising as a revolutionary hope over the horizon.
In the same year he presented to Mao another painting with a very similar composition and content.
This hanging scroll in color on paper 220 x 73 cm was sold for RMB 83M by Poly on December 3, 2012, lot 2251.
