Lot 29: Ma Baozhong B. 1965

executed in 1997 three panels, oil on canvas

measurements note 370 by 720 cm. 145 3/4 by 283 1/2 in.

After two years of negotiation, the ceremony of Sino-British Joint Declaration finally took place in Beijing in 19 December 1984. The ceremony began promptly at 5:30 pm and lasted for more than twenty minutes. When British Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher (seated) and the representative of Chinese Government signed the document, a brand new chapter of Hong Kong history was then opened. Chinese top leaders all attended the ceremony, including Deng Xiaoping (middle of the 1st row), and President of PRC Li Xiannian (left of Deng). British Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe (right of Deng) and other officials who took part in the negotiations also witnessed the history. The moment was broadcasted to the rest of the world via satellite. The joint declaration stated the Chinese Government to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. It also ensured the HKSAR would enjoy a high degree of autonomy with the current social, economic systems and life style unchanged for 50 years. The declaration also saw the birth of Sino-British Joint Liaison Group which paved the way of reunification. The Ministry of Culture commissioned this work in 1997, and the artist, Ma Baozhong executed this masterpiece based on a photograph of the event taken in 1984. He had an accomplished sketching technique and his talent in producing historical work, as shown in his previous works China, China (1985), is apparent in the present lot. He applied a painstaking realist approach and combined it with delicate brushstrokes to depict every individual attending the ceremony in depth, creating a distinct and skilful depiction of this important event in modern Chinese history.