Wen Jia 1501-1583

signed Maoyuan Wen Jia, dated bingzi of the Wanli reign (1576), fourth lunar month, inscribed 'a copy of "Thatched Cottage in the Southern Village" by Huanghe Shanren (Wang Meng, 1308-1385),' and with four seals of the artist, wen jia zhi yin, wen shi xiu cheng, wen jia zhi yin, and wen shui dao ren
Inscribed with a poem by the Qianlong Emperor, dated jiwei (1799), and with eight seals, shi qu bao ji, yang xin dian jian cang bao, qian long jian shang, qian long chen han, ji xia lin chi, san xi tang jing jian xi, yi zi sun, and  qian long yu lan zhi bao. One seal of the Jiaqing Emperor, jia qing yu lan zhi bao. With ten collectors' seals including one of Song Luo (1634-1713), shang qiu song luo shen ding zhen ji; one of Geng Jixun (17^{th century), yun jian ci shi geng ji xun yin; and three of Zhang Xueliang (1901-2001), zhang xue liang yin, yi an zhu ren jiu liu hou de pin, ding yuan zhai}

Christie's New York, Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, November 30, 1984, lot 661a

Shiqubaoji chubian, p. 654
Pingsheng zhuangguan, written by Gu Fu, in Xuxiu Siku quanshu (Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe, 1995), p. 476
Xuanxuan zhai shuhua yumu biji xubian, written by Chong Yi, vol. II, p. 8

-Overall in good condition except for some minor foxings, mainly on the lower part of the composition -The colors of the actual piece appear to be more intense than those of the illustration
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.

This important work by Wen Jia preserves a composition by the Yuan dynasty master Wang Meng. The original Wang Meng painting is no longer extant, but Wen Jia's copy captures the essence of Wang's compositional structure. Wen Jia also mimics Wang's self-consciously "clumsy" (zhuo) style of brushwork.