Masterpieces by Chinese artists set new record at autumn auction

World
Europe

Poly's autumn auction has seen no shortage of highlights this year. So far, the total sales have reached a whopping 4.2 billion yuan, or 650 million US dollars. And the price of five Chinese art pieces reached more than 100 million yuan, breaking a historical record.

The first masterpiece to mention is, of course, the "Twelve Screens of Landscape."

It was sold for 144 million US dollars, setting a new record for any piece of Chinese artwork sold at auction worldwide.

Part of Qi Baishi's "Twelve Screens of Landscape." /CFP Photo

The works were produced by the renowned Chinese artist Qi Baishi.

Qi, who lived from 1864 to 1957, was a Chinese painting master who specialized in flowers, plants and landscapes.

The artist created the masterworks in 1925. The organizer said the paintings are regarded as the artist's greatest achievement.

The album includes 12 separate paintings. Each is framed in a 1.8-meter-long vertical shaft. An elegant palette is used to depict lively nature scenes.

It is said Qi was inspired by the real, natural brilliance he encountered through his extensive travels across the country.

Preview of Poly's autumn auction in Shanghai. /CFP Photo

Another highlight is Li Keran's art piece "Sacred Shaoshan Mountain," which was painted in 1974.

It was sold for 178 million yuan, or 27 million US dollars.

It depicts the former residence of the late Chairman Mao Zedong at the foot of Shaoshan Mountain in central China's Hunan Province, where he spent his childhood and teenage years.

This year also marks the 110th anniversary of Li's birth.

Other top lots in the sale included "Twelve Screens of Finger Ink Landscape," by ink painter Cui Ruzhuo; "Flowers in Twelve Scrolls," by artist Wu Changshuo and the "Heart Sutra," a popular Buddhist scripture written by Zhao Mengfu.

The auction house remains in first place among domestic large-scale art vendors, and boasts the top transaction volume of any in China.