Gentleman in Brown

QIU YACAI (CHIU YA-TSAI, 1949-2013)
Gentleman in Brown
Oil on canvas, framed
144.8 x 90.4 cm. (57 x 35 ⁵⁄₈ in.)
Signed by the artist

Christie's Hong Kong, Asian Contemporary Art (Day Sale), 23 November 2014, Lot 553.

The collection belongs to a European noble family. This family, with close ties to Austrian friends residing in Hong Kong during the latter half of the 20th century, found themselves deeply fascinated by Chinese culture and the very good quality of food, furniture, silk products, even everyday objects due to the influence of their friends. Driven by a passion for art, the family frequently explored museums, galleries, private collections, and art dealers. They also visited Hong Kong to explore the treasures of China firsthand. The present collection was assembled in Hong Kong from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

The family recalls the excitement of unpacking boxes of the purchased works of art as they arrived from Hong Kong. The Chinese paintings and objects were displayed beautifully on the premises of their baroque estate alongside European antiques but also works by internationally renowned contemporary artists. The collection has accompanied the family for decades and has been an integral part of their household in Europe, embodying an elegant fusion of artistic expressions and cultural influences.

Additional works by Wu Guanzhong (lot 721), Shi Hu (lot 619) and Fang Zhaoling (lot 618) from this collection will be presented in the "Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings" auction on 28 November 2024.