許漢超 大清中國船 油彩木板

款識 ：
許漢超 H. C. HEE（右下）

亞洲私人收藏

This work is in very good condition. There is evidence of light white accretions across the surface of the work. There are scattered small spots across the surface revealing the board underneath, consistent with the natural aging process of the medium. There is no evidence of restoration under UV.
"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."

許漢超─大清中國船

許漢超畢生旅居海外，真正生活於中華大地上的歲月屈指可數，但這反而激起藝術家的故國情懷，矢志在彼邦引進民族藝術，並賦與現代新姿。《大清中國船》所呈現的，是一幕華人拓荒海外的民族史詩：作為中國民族象徵的帆船，遠渡重洋到達太平洋上的一座小島，航海員馱著擔挑卸下貨物，身穿民族服飾的土著則滿帶鮮花、載歌載舞地前來迎接。中國式帆船在西方被稱作「戎克船」（Junk），在機械化輪船發明之前，此種帆船曾經以粵閩為起點，稱雄七海之上。中國與夏威夷乃藝術家兩大故鄉，因此他在畫面上用色斑斕，份外喜慶歡愉；在構圖方面，其採用半立體主義風格，在桅杆與主帆上交織方塊，背景上的海浪亦呈圖案化的紋樣，金碧輝煌的船身主體則仍採用透視法。在藝術家的奇想下，淼淼波濤不僅拍打船身，更遙遙連接著天空，連太陽亦彷彿浸沉其中，隱隱呼應「唯見長江天際流」的詩意。

《大清中國船》以藝術家生平為線索，串連兩地民族的感情；而從歷史角度觀之，許漢超的身世，正是近代中國在夏威夷勢力發展之縮影：夏威夷本為太平洋上一群島，是土著自治的獨立王國。十九世紀開始，中國在當地移民漸多，僑商陳芳甚至躋身王親貴族，不但多次協助政府平亂，更促成國王卡拉卡瓦（Kalakaua）到訪中國，在天津與李鴻章會面，大大提升了華人地位。儘管由於清朝的顢頇，官方勢力在當地不能久持，華人的民間力量卻持續壯大，許漢超之父許蜇辰，即為卡拉卡瓦的繼位者擔任翻譯，及後更與孫中山結成伙伴，將夏威夷建立為革命基地。許漢超畢生縱橫歐、亞、美洲，最後仍選擇夏威夷作歸根之地，不僅在大學執教多年，更創立夏威夷水彩畫會（Hawaii Watercolour Society），其壁畫至今陳列於珍珠港、茂宜島醫學中心、火奴魯魯機場以及夏威夷州立美術館，而他對中、夏兩地之熱愛，均投入於《大清中國船》之中。