Guo Bochuan

signed Bo in Chinese in a square and dated 35 (35th year of the Republic of China, corresponding to 1946), framed under perspex

Sotheby's Taipei, 16th October 1994, cover and Lot 59
Acquired directly from the above by the current owner

The Collected Works of the Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Vol. 10: Guo Bochuan, Taiwan, 1993, cover and fig. 23
Li Qinxian, The Home-Museum: Collected Paintings of the Older Generation of Artists: The Uniqueness of Guo Bochuan, 1997, figs 4 - 19

The painting generally in good condition although with a number of minor issues consistent with age, which are mainly restricted to the edges and sides. The canvas has been remounted. The colour more yellow and more vibrant overall than suggested in the 1994 catalogue image. The original image displays evidence of minor areas of paint loss, mainly confined to along the four edges likely to have been caused by prior framing. These areas of loss have now been professionally restored to a high level such that they are only visible to the naked eye on very close inspection. The bottom edge with an area of paint loss, approx 1.2cm, on the right near the corner and another, approx 2.5cm, in the centre by the white doorway, both where the canvas wraps around the stretcher. At least 28 small patches of retouching along the edge, the longest approx 10cm, the shortest approx 5mm. The left edge where the canvas wraps around the stretcher with a patch of paint loss at the bottom, approx 5mm, and another at the top, approx 5mm. Three small perforations to the centre left edge from prior stapling. The upper edge with retouching in the left and right corners. The upper right corner with light abrasions to the paint. A patch of restoration to the centre edge, approx 6cm. Several minor areas of damage where the canvas wraps around the stretcher and not visible to the face of the canvas, including: (from left to right) a pinpricked sized hole; an approx 5mm hole; to the centre, an approx 3.8cm concentration of small holes with associated paint loss and restoration; a double perforation; an approx 2.5cm tear to the canvas; an approx 2mm hole; an approx 1.2cm hole; a 2mm hole; another 2mm hole and an approx 1.5cm hole near the upper right corner. The right edge with at least eight areas of retouching along the edge, the longest areas approx 16cm and 14cm, the smallest approx 2mm. Minor cracks to the paint along all four edges of the stretcher. Two large patches of pulling/surface paint cracks on the left and right sides of the painting, flanking the central line of the palace complex, visible in the 1994 catalogue image. The patch on the left within an area measuring approx 56 by 32cm; the one on the right, approx 55 by 40cm.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For further details on this work, please refer to the special auction catalogue, Guo Bochuan - The Forbidden City