Lady in Indian Dress

ZHANG DAQIAN (1899-1983) Lady in Indian Dress Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper 79 x 46 cm. (31 1/8 x 18 1/8 in.) Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist Dated gengyin year (1950) Dedicated to Liangnian and Madame Yangfen PROVENANCE: Lot 608, 29 November 2009, Fine Chinese Modern Paintings, Christie’s Hong Kong. Previously in the collection of Liu Liangnian. NOTE: Liu Liangnian was born in Fujian in 1905. He attended Ying Wah College in 1920 and later worked at the Shanghai Customs. There, Liu befriended many artists including Wu Hufan, Zhang Shanzi, Zhang Daqian, Ye Gongchuo and the Gao brothers, Jianfu and Qifeng. During the war, he moved to Chengdu where many others also sought refuge. He became acquainted with artists such as Huang Junbi, Zhao Shao’ang, Guan Shanyue, Li Xiongcai and Yu Youren. In 1946, Liu was transferred to the Gongbei Customs in Zhuhai and lived in Macau. In 1952, Liu left with his family to live in North Point, Hong Kong. He ran a trading business and spent his spare time on the arts, arranging dinners, meetings and exhibitions for artists. After he retired, Liu further expanded his collection of paintings, works of art and stamps. He also wrote poetry, some of which was published. His close relationship with the artists saw his son, Liu Jijian as a favoured godson to Huang Junbi.