XU BEIHONG (1895-1953)

XU BEIHONG (1895-1953) Cat and Rock Scroll,mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper 133.5 x 33.7 cm. (52½ x 13½ in.) Inscribed and signed, witn one seal of the artist Dedicated to Bingqi Dated twenty-fourth year (of the Republic, 1935) In this painting, Xu succinctly depicted the qualities of a cat, from its stubborn and arrogant gaze, to its crafty and agile ways. In many ways, the cat was a direct extension of the artist himself - possessing the pride of an artist, Xu would have much preferred to have his art remain as art rather than become a commodity. Yet due to the times, he had to reformulate himself into a commercial artist and travel far and wide for shows. Although simple in composition, the cat's complex personality mirrors Xu's own as a homeless travelling artist.