Lot 211: CHANG SHUHONG

CHANG SHUHONG 1904-1994 STILL LIFE Marked with the artist's seal and dated 1982 (lower left); dated 1982 and signed in Chinese (reverse) Executed in 1982 Oil on board 49.7 by 66 cm.; 19 1/2 by 26 in.

Born in 1904, Chang Shuhong is an important artist from China's older generation. In 1927, he began his studies at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Lyon and then at the École Des Beaux Arts in Paris. He was especially adept at oil paintings of nudes and still lives; in testament to this, the Centre Pompidou in Paris acquired his still life work Grapes. Whilst he was studying in France, he happened upon a book entitled Dunhuang Paintings, published in the West. He was shocked and ashamed that although he was from China, he was unaware that such cultural treasures existed in his native land. In 1936 he returned to China to teach at the Beiping Art College, however, he still dreamt of studying the art of Dunhuang. In 1943, he finally arrived in Dunhuang but was deeply saddened by the evident looting and destruction of the caves. This experience strengthened his determination to protect and document the Dunhuang cave art in order to preserve these national treasures. In 1944, he sold his own paintings in order to raise funds and founded the Dunhuang Art Research Institute. In the following 8 year period, together with other co-workers, he not only repaired the murals and excavated the buried sculptures, but also copied 3655 murals and systematically introduced the art of Dunhuang to the world through a series of exhibitions, catalogues and academic writing. Known as the "Guardian of Dunhuang", his contribution to the preservation and study of the art of Dunhuang has had profound and long-lasting effects.

Whilst in Dunhuang, as well as copying murals and carrying out restoration work, Chang continued with his own art work. He often painted still lives of the local customs and practices he saw in the desert surrounding him. For example, in Still Life/Landscape (double sided) completed in 1961, the artist has depicted an orchid next to two books in the corner of a room. The colours he has used in this painting are mainly earth-colours and a blackish-green, reflecting the natural colour palette of his surroundings and presenting a beautiful simplicity. On the back of the painting, the artist has recorded the ordinary working life of a desert city. Chang painted Still Life in a later period, when his life was no longer as hard as it had been when he first arrived in Dunhuang. His contribution to the study of the art of Dunhuang has been recognized and supported by the Chinese Government. In 1979, he was assigned as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs in Gansu Province. When he was painting Still Life, it was the 33rd Anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Chang Shuhong therefore painted this selection of fresh fruits from Lanzhou, alongside a vase of blossoming flowers, to express his sincere hope for China's rich and successful future.