Sotheby’s – The Mei Yun Tang Collection of Paintings by Chang Dai-Chien
May 6th, 2011 by adminHong Kong – May 31st
This May, Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Paintings department is thrilled to offer its first ever off-season sale, The Mei Yun Tang Collection of Paintings by Chang Dai-Chien. This monumental collection was assembled by the late Mr. and Mrs. Kao Ling-Mei over the course of half a century, and is internationally recognized as the most comprehensive Zhang Daqian paintings collection of all times. The sale features 25 works from the collection and is estimated to bring more than HKD 130 million. It represents the very first time that any of these works have appeared on the market.
The selection for sale offers a detailed account of the stylistic evolution of the artist, from his early traditional styles to the bold splashed ink and colour of his later years. It also reveals the close friendship and camaraderie between the celebrated artist and Mr. and Mrs. Kao Ling-Mei – dear friends for over 40 years. The couple acquired many of Zhang Daqian’s most prized works from exhibitions or as gifts from the artist himself. Lotus and the Mandarin Ducks (Lot 4), was bought in an exhibition of the artist’s work; and Children Playing under a Pomegranate Tree (Lot 13) – painted especially to compliment the couple’s large family – was received as a present from the artist.
