WANG LI (1813-1879) / EN CHENG(1820-1892) / CEN GUANGYUE (1876-1960) / WU MENGZHUANG (1885-1961)

Flowers and Bird, and Calligraphy Fan Collection

A set of four fan leaves, mounted for framing, ink and colour on gold paper / ink on gold paper / ink on gold-flecked paper / ink on paper

(1) Flowers and Birds measures 17.5 x 52.5 cm. (6 ⁷⁄₈ x 20 ⁵⁄₈ in.)

Inscribed and signed by Wang Li, with one seal
Dated summer, fourth month, xinwei year (1871)
Dedicated to □□

(2) Calligraphy in Regular Script measures 18 x 53 cm. (7 ¹⁄₈ x 20 ⁷⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed by En Cheng, with three seals
Dated spring, guichou year (1853)
Dedicated to uncle Rongjiang

(3) Calligraphy in Regular Script measures 19.5 x 53 cm. (7 ⁵⁄₈ x 20 ⁷⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed by Cen Guangyue, with one seal
Dedicated to Xugu

(4) Calligraphy in Running Script measures 18.5 x 51 cm. (7 ¹⁄₄ x 20 ¹⁄₈ in.)
Inscribed and signed by Wu Mengzhuang, with one seal
Dated autumn, guihai year (1923)

This fan collection includes works by artists of different periods and from various schools. The subject matter is extensive and rich. Particularly works of the Lingnan School, some of them dedicated to the same collector, which shows the friendship between the painter and the collector at that time. In this hot summer day, it is a great pleasure to enjoy the calligraphy, flowers and birds on the fan, and be chilled in between the mountains and rivers.