任頤 焚香禮佛

款識：
光緒乙酉春三月上浣之吉。山陰任頤伯年甫寫於海上客舍牕下沐手並記。

鈐印：「任伯年」、「山陰任頤」。

藏印：「謫僊館」。

香港蘇富比，一九九八年四月，中國書畫拍賣，編號56

-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."

註：任伯年鬻畫為生，光緒初年乃其創作旺盛期，筆下人物深獲時賞，訂製者眾，遂熟而生巧，畫中造型不免重複。本幅寫僧人面壁，焚香禮佛，題材多見，惟人物造型，以至坐下之蒲團，樹幹傍生之葉叢，皆有別於常見者。從老僧頭部輪廓之崚嶒突兀，衣飾線條之銳利，以至蒲草窄如長釘，其用筆尖細似刀削，稍遠於其慣用之「釘頭鼠尾」法，卻類近丁南羽筆下之無量壽佛手法。同年，他寫有白描畫稿十二幀，其中一開〈山石圖〉更自題「雲鵬筆意。舊藏丁雲鵬有此幀，每喜摹之」，筆法近本幅，或據此淵源而生。

參考資料：
任伯年白描〈山石圖〉現藏中國美術館，可參見〈任伯年畫集〉，蔡若虹編（人民美術出版社，一九六○年），圖版78