Ink on paper

37 x 19 cm.14 5/8 x 7 1/2 in.

Signed and dated ’SANYU 30’ on lower right

LITERATURE The Li-Ching Culture and Education Foundation，Taiwan，Sanyu – Index of Drawings（L’inventaire des dessins）， November 2014，No. D2362，p.108

PROVENANCE Asian 20th Century Art Day Sale，Christie’s Hong Kong，26 May 2013，Lot 3640，

The present owner acquired from the above sale.

Sanyu 1901-1966

Before picking up oil painting，Sanyu spent years in sketch training. He used portraiture to learn western painting techniques and fundamental elements，while accumulating experiences and discovering his unique style. The calligraphy training from childhood allows Sanyu to draw sketch works with ink，using familiar tools to interpret the beauty of human body. Well-trained calligraphical brushes and rhythm change create vibrant，natural and variant lines.

After enrolled in Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris in 1920s，Sanyu created over 2000 sketches in just few years，among which most are portraits，nude or dressed. These sketches also demonstrated Sanyu’s pursuit for perfection in art，which corresponded with Matisse’s motto that artists “must first develop the spirits via sketches” and “prepare for years before employing colors.”

Sanyu attempted to break away from the boundary of traditional design by exerting all efforts in exploration while complying with the traditional Chinese techniques. He depicted human body in a sincere and unique way without the constraint of body structure. Meanwhile he also emphasized on the expression of smoothness and sexy beauty of body curve，giving him the name of “Oriental Matisse.” This piece of ink painting sketch was created in 1930 and Sanyu was already familiar with and skilled at the exploration of western body curve. He could easily and freely outline a man sitting down in his suit，with the lines revealing freely the simple literati and exclusive handsome temperament of an artist. The ink sketch of the man in suit was rare in the whole sketch collection of Sanyu. From what the archive tells，there are only around 10 pieces. In addition，there are no more than 5 depicting sitting pose with frontal side，indicating the rarity and uniqueness of this work among Sanyu’s sketch works.

Price estimate:
HKD：150,000 - 200,000
USD：19,350 - 25,800

Auction Result:
--