Wu Guanzhong

signed in Chinese and dated 1972; signed in Chinese and titled on the reverse

Important Private Asian Collection

Wu Guanzhong Paintings, Sichuan Fine Arts Publishing House, Chengdu, 1990, p. 85, illustrated in colour
Shui Tianzhong & Wang Hua, ed., The Complete Works of Wu Guanzhong Vol. II, Hunan Fine Arts Publishing House, 2007, p. 195, illustrated in colour
Wu Keyu, ed., World Famous Artist - Wu Guanzhong, Hebei Education Press, Shijiazhuang, p. 97, illustrated in colour

The work is overall in good condition. There are a few pinholes across the edges belonging to the original creation. There is a small chip on the top left corner. There is a tiny paint loss in the middle of the upper edge. There are slight, tiny craquelures across the surface.
"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."

Xibaipo is located in 90 kilometers away from Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. From May 1948 to March 1949, this place was the major base of Chinese Red Army as a deployment center to take over Beiping. Although being notable as the cradle of revolution, Xibaipo is not a picturesque village. As depicted in this work, it is a quiet and small town. In order to highlight the peacefulness of Xibaipo, Wu Guanzhong uses minimum number of colours and minimal forms to paint every house in square and cube shapes through his flat and loose brushstrokes. The artist was highly influenced by Maurice Utrillo's cityscape paintings and his theory when he studied in Paris: "Using the density of different sizes of planes and lines to achieve the sense of space and depth," which is exemplified in this work.