Lot 648
Magpies and Maple Tree
YU Chung-Lin (Taiwanese, 1925 - 1985)
1984
Ink and colour on paper, framed
68 x 131 cm
Estimate
TWD 460,000-700,000
HKD 128,000-196,000
USD 16,500-25,100
CNY 107,000-163,000
Sold Price
TWD 900,000
HKD 252,809
USD 32,468
CNY 206,897
Signature
Signed Chung-lin in Chinese
With two seals of the artist
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist's family
EXHIBITED
"Elegance and Grace: A Memorial Exhibition of Flower and Bird Paintings by Yu Chung-Lin", National Museum of History, Taipei, 14 January, 2012 - 28 February, 2012
ILLUSTRATED
Elegance and Grace: A Commemorative Collection of Flower and Bird Paintings by Yu Chung-Lin, National Museum of History, Taipei, 2012, pp. 34-35
With two seals of the artist
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist's family
EXHIBITED
"Elegance and Grace: A Memorial Exhibition of Flower and Bird Paintings by Yu Chung-Lin", National Museum of History, Taipei, 14 January, 2012 - 28 February, 2012
ILLUSTRATED
Elegance and Grace: A Commemorative Collection of Flower and Bird Paintings by Yu Chung-Lin, National Museum of History, Taipei, 2012, pp. 34-35
+ OVERVIEW
Magpies and Maple Tree was made in the autumn of 1984. This full-framed work was composed with a branch of maple tree stretching out from the rock on the left. Layers of maple leaves highlight the depth of the structure, while displaying their exquisite colours of autumn. Two magpies, one on the branch and one flying in motion, look towards one another. Curves of their tails guide the eyes of the viewer throughout the painting while highlighting the elegance of the birds. This shows the meticulous thoughts and skilful brush of the painter, while portraying himself as a bird, creating such an emotionally vivid painting. To fully understand the thoughts of the painter, one must interview his closest relatives. According to his daughter, this work was the last large-scale masterpiece completed before the artist's death. A year before his death, the artist used strenuous power to meticulously paint in a standard equivalent to the one of prestigious Song school. In this work, magpies look into each other's eyes before the flying bird leaves the scene. As we put the work alongside the artist's timeline, the viewer could immediately associate this work with a message of farewell, thus making this work an intriguing and magnificent gift of the artist.
Related Info
Refined Brushwork:Ink Paintings & Works of Art
Ravenel Autumn Auction 2021 Taipei
Saturday, December 4, 2021, 1:30pm