Works of art by Wu Guanzhong set for Chinese painting auction record in UK

Two Chinese paintings by one of China’s most celebrated modern artists are expected to set a new UK auction record when they go under the hammer on May 18.

The paintings by Wu Guanzhong are expected to fetch more than 1 million pounds ($1.28 million) at Dukes Auctioneers in Dorchester, which would be a UK record for a modern Chinese artist.

In a statement, the auction house said: “Wu Guanzhong’s importance as an artist is further underlined by the fact his works are represented in major museums and art galleries worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum.”

The owner of the paintings did not appreciate the value of the paintings until they were discovered during a routine valuation by the auction house. The works of art were purchased by the owner while living in Hong Kong.

Last year, one of Wu’s oil paintings, Zhou Village, sold for $30.4 million in China at Poly Auction's spring sale.

White Birches on Mount Chang Bai (Zhangbai) is a hanging scroll painting in ink and color paper bearing two seals by the artist indicating that it was painted in the 1980s. This is expected to sell for up to 1 million pounds.

The second painting is of a water village in the Jiangnan region, which has a pre-sale estimate of 300,000 pounds to 500,000 pounds.

Wu Guanzhong died in 2010, aged 90. He was one of the giants of modern Chinese art, painting mainly landscapes using a blend of Western oil painting techniques and traditional Chinese brush strokes and calligraphy.

In the 1940s, Wu went to France to study painting with his contemporaries Zhao Wuji and Zhu Dequn.

Leaving Zhao and Zhu in Paris, Wu returned to China in the 1950s, but was banned from painting and writing about art during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76).

When the Cultural Revolution ended, he was allowed to go back to painting and soon after was commissioned to paint for museums, hotels and other landmarks in Beijing.

Guy Schwinge of Dukes said: ““Wu Guanzhong’s importance to the development of Chinese art in the 20th century cannot be overstated. His works bridge the gap between the past and the present and they perfectly articulate the fusion of Chinese and Western art.”

To contact reporter: boleung@mail.chinadailyuk.com