Tong Yuan (Active 17th century)

signed Tong Yuan, with one seal of the artist, tong yuan zhi yin, and one collector's seal, yi quan jian shang

1. Journeys on Paper and Silk: The Roy and Marilyn Papp Collection of Chinese Painting, Phoenix Art Museum, February 28-April 19, 1998
2. Lyrical Traditions: Four Centuries of Chinese Paintings from the Papp Collection, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, June 22-October 7, 2007
3. Hidden Meanings of Love and Death in Chinese Painting: Selections from the Marilyn and Roy Papp Collection, Phoenix Art Museum, April 27-September 2, 2013

1. Journeys on Paper and Silk: The Roy and Marilyn Papp Collection of Chinese Painting, Phoenix Art Museum, 1998, cat. 22, pp. 72-73
2. Hidden Meanings of Love and Death in Chinese Painting: Selections from the Marilyn and Roy Papp Collection, Phoenix Art Museum, 2013, cat. 7, pp. 19, 43, 86

- Silk bears a tanned tone due to age. - Restoration of silk loss can be found. - Minor scratches and stain spots.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

'Tong Yuan, who is the eldest son of Xishuang (Tong Kai), is skilled in (such genres as) flower-and-bird, grass-and-insect. His brush method is elegant and refined, and his art owes as much to his persistent effort as to his (family) heritage. Not only there are none among contemporary artists who can be his match, but he could truly surpass the past masters. In temperament, he is gentle and considerate. Through his life, there was not a single instance when he was seen to speak with haste or to become unnerved and agitated. Truly he is a gentleman whose talent and virtue are equally superior.
The present painting in the Papp collection displays a flock of magpies. Each of the magpies poses in ways that we can term 'classical' in that they can be traced to antecedents in the past. In line with Tong Yuan's gentle personality, there is little drama in the painting, unless we point to the black and white contrast in the plumage and to the lively posturing of the birds, especially with their tails. All the while, the brush caresses, the ink modulates and softens, and azurite blue is applied to the rock and to feathers to increase their intense blackness.'
- Journeys on Paper and Silk, p. 72