Qi Baishi (1864-1957)

signed BAISHI, titled, and inscribed. Later signed again BAISHI, inscribed, with a dedication, and a total of three seals of the artist

Gift of artist to Clemente Rezzonico (1897-1976), Swiss Ambassador of China from 1950 to 1954.

-Foxing could be found on the painting, which could be improved by restoration. Otherwise, generally in good condition.
"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."

上款：「任佐立」即Clemente Rezzonico（1897-1976），瑞士首任駐華公使。他出生於瑞士伯爾尼，得伯爾尼大學政治經濟學博士學位。十九歲時，已獲瑞士聯邦政府政治部招聘，從事外交工作，先後獲派駐倫敦、羅馬、巴黎等地服務。四九年，轉赴亞洲，出任駐巴基斯坦首都使館代辦。翌年調往北京駐華使館，任臨時代辦。五○年十二月廿七日，他以瑞士聯邦首任駐華特命全權公使身份，拜訪總理周恩來，並於次日向時任中央人民政府副主席朱德呈交國書。其駐華任期直至一九五四年，復調赴印度，先後駐節泰國、錫蘭及尼泊爾，一九六○年方退休返國，定居盧加諾，直至逝世。作品一直由其家族親屬保存。

註：白石老人作品題材多樣化，多貼近日常生活中可觸可及之事物，活潑可愛，廣受中外人士所好。四九年後，以布衣出身，遂得人民藝術家之稱號，深獲政府倚重，推作文藝界之榜樣，涉及外事活動，如致送、酬答外國政要或來華訪問者，多以其作品為贈。目前偶見於國外市場流出者，不少即淵源自此。

本幅乃畫家撿出自存舊作，復添上款，送贈瑞士駐華公使任佐立者。曰「九十一歲再題」，按白石自署習慣，應為一九五一年。任氏以公使身份拜訪周恩來，並呈遞國書於五○年底，由此推知，本幅或贈於翌年初。

畫中粗幹巨桃，碩大肥美，色燦如火，伴以綠葉，筆道遒勁，蒼勁潑辣，視覺效果強烈，兼喻意吉祥，乃白石最擅者，亦為求畫者所好。他以大逾尋常尺幅寫之，似屬訂製而作，或因四八年寫畢時，通貨狂漲，筆潤未抵材料所耗，遂自留。越三載，得委酬外之重任，方撿出以贈。