WU GUANZHONG | Bamboo Grove by the River

signed TU, dated 1984, with a dedication, and one seal of the artist

-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."

This painting was most likely dedicated to Cheng Qingxiang, the general manager of the Beijing Hotel in the 1980s. The Beijing Hotel owned a gallery to provide Chinese artists with an official platform to hold exhibitions and to sell their artworks. Thus, Cheng maintained close ties with various notable painters, and he was often gifted with precious art pieces. Cheng and Wu Guanzhong met in the early 1980s when the artist held a small-scale exhibition in the said gallery. Out of admiration, Cheng later invited the artist to create another two enormous paintings, Chinese Cypresses and Snow Mountain for the hotel in 1988 and 1989.The bushy bamboo grove, standing tall on the slope by the river fills half of the canvas with the scattering stems and leaves. Viewers are invited to peep into the village of the opposite coast in between the bushes and the banana trees on the left. The delicate arrangement of different components such as the white-walled houses and the vast mountains at the back helps to create depth in this two-dimensional piece. Bamboo Grove by the River is based on one of his most repeated composition, originated from a sketch he painted during his visit to Guilin in 1972. While this work is painted in 1984 when the artist was trying to depict the bamboo grove he saw in Sichuan, the composition and colour arrangement are very similar to Wu’s another work of 1976, New Bamboos Alongside the Li River.