Pink Lotus

ZHANG DAQIAN (1899-1983) Pink Lotus Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper 69.5 x 32 cm. (27 3/8 x 12 5/8 in.) Inscribed and signed, with four seals of the artist Dated fifteenth day of the ninth month, seventieth year (of the Republic, xinyou year, 1981) Dedicated to Duanduan NOTE: The recipient of this painting Duanduan is the daughter of Zhang Xinjia, whom the artist called affectionately, 'my granddaughter'. Presented to her on her twentieth birthday, it depicts a single lotus with petals about to unfurl into full bloom. It is possible that the upper-right corner of the composition originally contained another inscription, which was removed by the artist prior to gifting the painting, perhaps to better fit the occasion.