ZHAO SHAO'ANG (1905-1998) / HE XIUFENG (1898-1970)
Cicada on Branch / Calligraphy in Clerical Script
Fan leaf, ink and colour on paper / ink on paper
12.5 x 37 cm. (4 ⁷⁄₈ x 14 ⁵⁄₈ in.)
Cicada on Branch Inscribed and signed by Zhao Shao’ang, with one seal of the artist
Dedicated to Qianhong (Li Lingshuang, wife of He Xiufeng)

Calligraphy in Clerical Script inscribed and signed by He Xiufeng, with one seal of the artist
Dedicated to Qianhong

NOTE:
The recipient of this painting is Li Lingshuang. Li, was the wife of He Xiufeng, and the younger sister of Li Peishu. The couple met Wang Jingwei and Chen Bijun through the introduction of her sister.

He Xiufeng (1898-1970). Born in Zhongshan, Guangdong, He was the father of Ho Mang Hang, and a famous seal carver and collector. He worked under Wang Jingwei and helped published Poetry of Shuangzhaolou.

Wang Jingwei remains one of the most fascinating and complex political and literary figures in modern Chinese history. As a revolutionary, Wang played an important role in the fall of the Qing dynasty and called for democratic and social reforms during the 1920s and the 1930s, before becoming a leader of the Peace Movement during the Second Sino-Japanese War. An accomplished calligrapher, poet, writer and friend to many artists, Wang is also well-known for his collection of poetry, titled Shuangzhaolou shicigao, including Xiaoxiuji (A Little Rest) and Saoyeji (Brush Leaves) collections. A selection of poems and translation has been published in Poems of Wang Ching-wei (London, Allen & Unwin, 1938).