The recipient is Yang Weipeng (1899-1984), a native of Guangdong. Yang joined the military after graduating from high school, and then began a mining business in South East Asia and set up his business in Kuala Lumpur. Yang was a determined and helpful character, and was acquainted with Xie Wuliang, Pu Ru, Zhang Daqian, Kang Youwei and others. He supported the war effort and received praise from members of the Government of the Republic of China, such as Xu Jingtang, Yu Hanmou. He opened the Fu Hua shop in Hong Kong.

Xie Wuliang’s Farewell Preface for Yang Weipeng calligraphic work from this collection is also available in Christie’s Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings sale on 1 December 2020 (Lot 1217).