Longevity Crane Under Peaches

QI BAISHI (1863-1957) Longevity Crane Under Peaches Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper 179.5 x 48.5 cm. (70 5/8 x 19 1/8 in.) Inscribed and signed, with two seals of the artist Dedicated to Madame Xiuyi PROVENANCE: Previously in the collection of Mr. Yasuda Tamaki. Previously in the collection of Madame Guo Xiuyi (1911-2006). Note: Guo Xiuyi (1911-2006), was the beloved disciple of Qi Baishi. Born in Shanghai to a family from Guangdong , she was both an artist and a political figure, as well as the wife of Huang Qixiang (1898-1970), the former chairman of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party. She is well-known for being a pioneer in women’s rights and for joining Soong Mei-ling (1898-2003) and Deng Yingchao (1904-1992) to found the China Wartime Children Care Association. The edge of the outer mounting is inscribed in Japanese by the collector, Yasuda Tamaki. The inscription first introduces Qi Baishi and how his works were well-received in Japan, and further explains how the work came into the collection: “In early autumn of 1965, I obtained this painting while I was working in Beijing to interview Li Zongren about his return to China. General Huang Qixiang (Guo Xiuyi’s husband), who has visited my country, gave the painting to me as a souvenir. Yasuda Tamaki.”