WITH SIGNATURE OF MA SHOUZHEN (18TH CENTURY)
Flowers, Butterflies and Rock
Hanging scroll, ink and colour on silk
72 x 44 cm. (28 3/8 x 17 ³⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with two seals
Colophons with signature of Wen Jia, Wang Zhideng and Liu Ruozai, with a total of four seals
Four collector’s seals, including one of Liu Kuo Chun (1887-1978)
Titleslip with one collector’s seal of Liu Kuo Chun

Dedication & Self-Improvement – The Liu Jing Xiu Tang Collection of Chinese Paintings

Born in Shengci town, Jingjiang city of Jiangsu province, Liu Kuo Chun (1887-1978) studied briefly at private school at the age of 10. In 1901, he went to Changzhou to make a living and subsequently started a business in textile trading with a dye workshop. In 1916, he established Dalun Machine Weaving Factory with his partners and in 1918, he opened Guangyi Weaving Factory in sole proprietorship. In 1930, he set up Dacheng Textile Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd. In 1938 he established Anda Textile Co. Ltd. in Shanghai and in 1948, he set up South Cotton Mill Ltd. in Hong Kong. He returned to China in 1950 and served as Chairman and General Manager of Dacheng Company, and Vice Chairman and Deputy General Manager of Anda Company. Later he served as a Deputy to the National People’s Congress, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province, Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress, to name but a few.

With a gift of discerning opportunities, a passion for advanced technology and management reform and a strength of horses for courses, Liu Kuo Chun eventually became the leader in the textile industry of the time. In 1941 he began acquiring paintings and calligraphy in Shanghai. He also attended exhibitions, where he met and made friends with collectors and connoisseurs such as Qian Jingtang (1907-1983), Wu Hufan (1894-1968), Xie Zhiliu (1910-1997) and Wang Nanping (1924-1985). Through their appreciation sessions from time to time, Mr Liu enhanced his knowledge on paintings and calligraphy. Later he acquired many works from private collections in Nanjing, Beijing, Chongqing , Hong Kong and Changzhou etc. that enriched the quality and quantity of the Liu Jing Xiu Tang Collection.

Named after Mr Liu’s motto “Dedication and Self-Improvement,” the Liu Jing Xiu Tang is one of the buildings in his former residence in Shengci town, Jingjiang city. Mr Liu not only had outstanding business achievements but also a strong sense of social responsibility. A philanthropist, he sponsored various charitable projects related to education, temple restoration, etc. Part of his paintings, calligraphy and furniture collection had been donated to various cultural institutions, including Nanjing Museum, Changzhou Museum, Changshu Museum and Jingjiang Archives, for sharing his love of art with the society.