De Sarthe Gallery
A Rare Exhibition of Museum Quality Modern Chinese Paintings
Artists: Xu Beihong, Pan Yuliang, Lin Fengmian, Sanyu, Wu Dayu, Wu Guanzhong, Zao Wou Ki, Chu Teh Chun, Xiong Bingming, T’ang Haywen
Date: May 13 – June 28, 2014
Special Events: 13 May, 3pm – 4pm | Press Preview
13 May, 6pm – 8pm | Preview Cocktail
Venue: 8/F, Club Lusitano Building, 16 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong
Founder Pascal de Sarthe will lead a tour of the exhibition
The exhibition “Pioneers of Modern Chinese Painting in Paris” presents Sino-French artists of the early 20th century heralded as fundamentals.
Zao Wou-Ki, 02.04.59, 1959, Oil on canvas, Signed and dated 59 lower right and titled on verso 91 x 132 cm, Reserved rights, courtesy de Sarthe Gallery
Following World War I, reform-minded Chinese debated how best to modernize their nation. It was under such revolutionary auspices that intellectual leader Chen Duxiu proposed the “Revolution of Art” – spurning a generation of Chinese artists to emigrate to Europe in search of deliverance. In the early 20th century, Paris was the global epicenter of great intellectual and cultural achievement, with old traditions challenged by avant-garde movements. It was against this backdrop that the pioneers of modern Chinese painting emerged. Straddling cultures, the artists departed from their centuries old Chinese heritage by infusing their works with a Western visual language.
Pan Yuliang, Nude,1967, Ink and watercolor on paper , 60 x 90.5 cm . Reserved rights, courtesy de Sarthe Gallery
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and France, this exhibition will feature a stellar 15 masterpieces from the first and second generations of the most important Chinese artists who moved to, or worked temporarily, in Paris from 1919 onward. It will also demonstrate how the second generation artists returned to their roots and created a “Chinese Abstraction“, a measured reconciliation of Chinese and European aesthetics.
Many from within this distinguished group of artists were admitted into the Académie des Beaux-Arts, and their importance have been recognized by leading global institutions, as well as highly commended in the art market. Their works form part of permanent collections of important international museums and are widely exhibited in both private and public.
Lin Fengmian,Fishing market, Oil on canvas , Signed middle right in Chinese: Lin Fengmian, 77.5 x 77.5 cm, Reserved rights, courtesy de Sarthe Gallery
About de Sarthe Gallery
de Sarthe Gallery was founded in 1977 in Paris, later establishing galleries in America and most recently Hong Kong. It represents and exhibits a diverse spectrum of international artists, from important modern masters to a generation of emerging talents. de Sarthe Gallery artists include established icons; Zao Wou-Ki, Chu Teh-Chun, de Kooning, Andy Warhol and Chen Zhen as well as contemporary figures; Wang Guofeng, Lin Jingjing and Zhou Wendou amongst others. de Sarthe Gallery aims to provide the international audience with a strong series of curated group and solo shows, which is complimented by a rigorous publication programme.
In 2014 de Sarthe Gallery will inaugurate a second gallery space in Beijing. The second gallery will be dedicated to contemporary art from China prominently positioning the presence of de Sarthe Gallery in the international art scene.
