Calligraphy in Running Script

A native of Cixi, Zhejiang, Wang Hsin-heng (1908-1987) enrolled in Shanghai University in his early years and studied in the Soviet Union in 1926, where he was classmates with Chiang Ching-kuo. Upon his return to China, he joined the Military Affairs Commission of the National Government in 1932 and became one of Chiang Kai-shek’s personal staffs. At the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Wang was transferred to Hong Kong and served as the head of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. Following victory, he returned to Shanghai and was elected as one of the first legislators. He moved back to Hong Kong in 1949 and later Taiwan, where he was a member of the Legislative Yuan Diplomatic Committee. In time, Wang pursued careers in business, including chairman of the Asia Cement Corporation and executive director of Far East Textiles.

From a young age, Wang indulged in painting and writing calligraphy as his leisure pursuits. As Wang became an important government official, he was introduced to many prominent artists, subsequently leading to his impressive collection. Coinciding with Taiwan’s flourishing art scene in the mid-20th century, Wang’s relocation enabled him to be acquainted with more artists, including Zhang Daqian.

A well-connected and gregarious man, Wang collected a diverse range of artistic work, some of which, including Zhang Daqian’s Verdant East Lake (Lot 1055), will be part of Christie’s “Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings” auction. Wang Hsin-heng passed in 1987 and his son, Wang Yifang, later donated part of the family collection to the National Palace Museum. A distinguished presence during his lifetime, Wang Hsin-heng is fondly remembered for his splendid art collection.

Xiang Hanping is from Hepu County, Guangdong. During the Republican period, he served as deputy commander of the Fourth & Ninth Army. He led his troops and participated in the Songhu Battle and the Xuzhou battle during the Second Sino-Japanese War. He moved to Hong Kong in the summer of 1949 and spent the rest of his life there.

Born in Qiupu County, Anhui, Xu Shiying was a political figure in the late Qing early Republic period, and served as the Governor of Anhui. In 1936, he served as Chinese ambassador to Japan, and was responsible for negotiations with Japan after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. He moved to Hong Kong in 1948 and later to Taiwan in 1950.

Born in Shunde, Guangdong, Chen Jinghong moved to Shanghai as a teen and studied calligraphy and painting under Kang Youwei (1858-1927). A remarkable calligrapher, Chen was well versed in many scripts, but was especially outstanding at the semi-cursive and cursive scripts. He returned to Guangzhou and later to Hong Kong, and as an editor-in-chief and president at several news agencies as well as a university lecturer in Hong Kong. For his artistic achievements and cultural contribution, Chen was awarded an Honorary Medal from the Queen of England in 1987.