An album of flower paintings by Shitao (1642-1707) will lead a sale of Chinese art and calligraphy at Christie's Hong Kong on November 25 with a $2.3m-3.3m estimate.
Shitao is regarded as one of the most innovative artists of the Qing period. He freely subverted artistic traditions, most notably in a self-explanatory piece titled 10,000 Ugly Inkblots.
 Shitao is among the most important Qing dynasty artists |
Christie's comment: "In the inscription of Album of Flower Painting, Shitao wrote that he was viewing these flower paintings one morning and suddenly, the Falling Blossoms poems composed by the renowned painter Shen Zhou (1427-1509) came into mind.
"Struck by the inspiration of the moment, he immediately set out to prepare his ink and brush, and inscribed the poems on these leaves while reciting them."
Bada Shanren's Stag and Pine is valued at $1m-1.2m.
Shanren (1626-1705) is another important Qing dynasty artist who worked in a contemplative, minimalist style.
Christie's comment: "Pine trees, cranes and deer are recurring subject matters in Bada Shanren's late works. In addition to being symbols of longevity, they also express the aging artist's wish to return to nature."
His Studio of Autumn Mountain sold for $2.4m at Sotheby's New York last year.
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