YE QIANYU (1907-1995)
Portraits of Y.K. Shukla and Correspondences
One scroll, mounted on cardboard and framed / one unmounted scrolls / two letters, ink on paper
Various sizes
1. Portrait of Y.K. Shukla
Unmounted scroll, ink on paper
53 x 36.5 cm. (20 ⁷⁄₈ x 14 ³⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist
Dated thirty-seventh year (of the Republic, 1948)

2. Portrait of Y.K. Shukla
Scroll, mounted on cardboard for framing, ink on paper
45 x 27 cm. (17 ³⁄₄ x 10 ⁵⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist
Dated 1948

3. Correspondences to Ye Gang
Letter, ink on paper
33.5 x 24 cm. (13 ¹⁄₄ x 9 ¹⁄₂ in.)
Inscribed and signed by the artist
Dated 1 August 1948

4. Correspondence to Yu Feng
Letter, ink on paper
33.5 x 24 cm. (13 ¹⁄₄ x 9 ¹⁄₂ in.)
Inscribed and signed by the artist
Dated 1 August 1948

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.