許漢超 白蛇傳 油彩畫布 一九七五年作

款識 ：
H. C. HEE（右下）

亞洲私人收藏

This work is in good condition. There is evidence of light accretions at the bottom left corner of the work and scattered paint losses across the surface, predominantly at the centre and along the bottom and right edges of the painting. There is evidence of craquelure 30 cm in length right above the first face to the right. 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."

《白蛇傳》：以藝術普及中華文化之宏願

若說許漢超以個人角度出發創作《大清中國船》，那麼他的《白蛇傳》絹印畫，則是他以中國文化傳播者之身份自我期許，積極將之推廣到全世界。許漢超接受正規的西式創作訓練，然而最令他傾心的題材，始終圍繞著中國。藝術家曾經提及，自己幼年在家鄉泮沙村市集，看到一本《白蛇傳》連環圖，故事雖然吸引人，但插圖卻不夠生動，此成為他日後的創作動機；二次大戰期間，藝術家因應軍中工作需要，自學而成絹印版畫技巧，及後鍛練出以系統化套色，創作立體主義畫風，同時滲透中國年畫、版畫及連環圖，形成極具個性的《白蛇傳》絹印畫。在1978年出版的專輯圖錄裡，不僅圖文並茂的載有白蛇傳的文字故事及許漢超的版畫作品，同時還附有生動的英語及日語翻譯，分別由濮德玠與劉其偉負責。

在本次呈獻的幾組拍品，除了可見白蛇傳中的主角：許仙及白素貞頭像（拍品編號 558），還有白素貞在端陽節飲雄黃酒現形（拍品編號 558）、許仙與白素貞之子夢蛟尋母（拍品編號 556）、以及許白二人在結局團圓超昇（拍品編號 556）的劇情，而另一張油畫（拍品編號 554）則與當年圖錄封面相似，從左至右呈現白素貞、法海、許仙與小青的群像；此外，另一張「木蘭從軍」（拍品編號 557），則表現了另一中國民間傳奇故事，結合皮影戲一般的人物造型，既保存了年畫、版畫、剪紙的傳統民間藝術趣味，亦加入了油畫色彩與立體派的幾何分割，在欣賞如此中西一體的傑作時，觀眾亦不禁投入藝術家當年初閱《白蛇傳》的心情，正如他在序中所說：

「回到了自家村莊，我就坐在大榕樹的杈椏上，看我的第一本書。慢慢的，細細的，我把白蛇傳神話讀完。真教我驚訝，我發現了故事的男主角是我的同宗。他也姓『許』。」