Zhang Yuan, DA QIAN JU SHI (1899 1983)

Branch of Begonia Watercolour on paper
The work is dedicated as the literal translation below: "To Miss Genevieve, December of the year Yi WEI (1935), painted by Zhang Da Qian on the occasion of the first trip to Paris."
44 x 36.5 cm
Provenance:
- Private collection - Paris
The current owner, student at the Institute of Oriental Languages (O' languages) in 1955/56 during the artist's visit to Paris, met Zhang DA QIAN through the Chinese Embassy in Paris. He fell under her spell, painted her portrait.
He gave her this watercolor that she has kept until now.
Note:
From the 1950s onwards, Zhang Da Qian received international recognition.
In 1953, a first exhibition in Paris was organized without the presence of the artist.
Between 1955 and 1956, he travelled for the first time to Europe and exhibited in Rome and Paris.
During this trip, he went to Pablo Picasso's house in the South of France. This meeting was presented at the time as a summit between the greatest painter of Western and Asian art. On this occasion, the two artists exchange paintings.
Zhang DA QIAN - The travelling
painter Contemporary China has taken a great interest in Western art, and young Chinese talents have constantly crossed the oceans to know Fine Arts in the West and especially in France. Zhang DA QIAN was one of them.
Zhang DA QIAN considered as one of the greatest artists of Chinese modern art began his career in a classical style. He excels in painting, sculpture, calligraphy and poetry.
He left more than five hundred works inspired by his travels. He visited his country China, and spent two years in the Dunhuang caves to study Buddhist frescoes.
He has travelled throughout Europe and the Americas and resided in many countries including India, Argentina, Brazil and the United States. He first came to France at the end of 1955 at the age of 56.
The incredible encounter between
Zhang DA QIAN and Pablo PICASSO Picasso was a great admirer of Chinese art. In July 1956 Zhang DA QIAN met Pablo PICASSO in Nice.
PICASSO shows him his studies in Indian ink on QI BAI SHI. They exchange friendship gifts. PICASSO receives a painting depicting bamboos and Zhang DA QIAN receives a portrait of PICASSO in Indian ink.
During this trip to France, Zhang DA QIAN meets the current owner of our watercolour.