HU SHI (1891-1962)
English Correspondence
Letter, pen on paper
23 x 15.2 cm. (9 x 6 in.)
Inscribed and signed by the artist
Dated 22 June 1948

NOTE:
Included a photocopy of the portrait signed by the artist, and two pages of a typewritten letter signed by the artist.

Mr Y.K. Shukla was born in 1907 in Porbander, Gujarat, India and studied drawing and painting in Bombay. He received the Meyo Medal, the highest award for an art student in India; then, in 1934, he moved to Italy to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, where he graduated with honours in 1939.
In 1947, Shukla won a scholarship from the Indian government to study Chinese painting at the National Institute of Fine Arts in Beijing. Whilst in Beijing, he studied under the internationally celebrated artist Xu Beihong, got to know several Chinese artists, and visited private collections of Chinese paintings owned by collectors and artists. Shukla became close friends with Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong and other Chinese artists of the 20th century. With their advice, Shukla assembled a fine collection of modern Chinese paintings, including the current lot. Christie's is honoured to present the family collection of Mr Shukla, including several calligraphy, paintings, letters, photos of the artist, and art books signed by many painters and scholars during his time in China. Most of the collections were acquired directly from the artists as gifts, showing the deep friendship between Mr Shukla and the artists. Through their interaction, the collection depicts the historical context of artistic exchanges between China and India in the first half of the 20th century.