Watercolour and Ink on paper

40 × 26.5 cm. 15 3/4 × 10 3/8 in.

Signed in Chinese and French on bottom left

LITERATURE
2014, Sanyu Catalogue Raisonné Drawings and Watercolours, Rita Wong, The Li Ching Cultural and Educational Foundation, Taipei, plate W132, p. 230
PROVENANCE
Sep 1966, Hôtel Drouot Auction, Paris
Previous Collection of Jaoques Nieszawer, France
3 Oct 2016, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Autumn Auction , Lot 5022
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

Capturing Timeless Elegance with Sincerity
Treasured Artworks from Sanyu

"All over the place was sixpence, but he looked up at the moon."
—— William Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence

In 1921, at the age of 26, Sanyu embarked on a journey to the free city of Paris. Over the next eight years, he immersed himself in the free studio at Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the city’s cafes, effortlessly sketching with a brush. By the time of his passing, he had created a total of 1,800 sketches and 211 watercolour works, showcasing his remarkable observational skills and artistic prowess. Upon his arrival in Paris, he quickly caught the attention and admiration of the renowned art broker Henri-Pierre Roché, who praised him, saying, "He’s quite a guy, and he’s on his way." However, this "young master" remained carefree and unconventional, refusing to collaborate with art dealers, and charting his course. This independence led him to a modest and isolated existence for over thirty years, but he continued to live freely, pursuing his dreams. Looking back now, his story remains deeply moving.

Always in Mind, Echoes We Find

"If you have seen sketches from the 1920s and 1930s, you can understand how Sanyu’s art history simplifies as time progresses."
—— Albert Dahan, a close friend and journalist, in a letter to Michel Habart

In this Spring auction, we present a watercolour painting from the renowned European collector Jacques Nieszawer’s collection: Woman in Purple Skirt (Lot 63) and two ink-on-paper works from the Michel Habart family, titled Seated Lady (Lot 65) and Standing Nude (Lot 64). Nieszawer, well-versed in the École de Paris, acknowledged Sanyu’s significance within. After Sanyu’s passing, Nieszawer acquired Woman in Purple Skirt at the Hôtel Drouot Auction in 1966. Habart, a retired French engineer, also acquired more than a hundred of Sanyu’s works at the same auction. These works, all from orderly sources, represent Sanyu’s vibrant and masterful artistic expression and provide a rare opportunity for collectors.

Fluid Brushstrokes, Vibrant Colours

Of Sanyu’s surviving watercolour paintings, one-third feature nude subjects, and only two depict full-body portraits of women with a pen in hands in purple attire. Watercolour paintings also mark the zenith of Sanyu’s fusion of Eastern and Western painting techniques. Judging from the prominently featured eyebrow and ear-length bobbed hairstyle, it is inferred that he depicted the legendary model Kiki, who was a sensation in the Paris social scene of the last century. Kiki, a versatile talent as a singer, actress, painter, and writer, served as the muse for numerous artists of that era. Sanyu created several pieces showcasing her graceful figure. Woman in Purple Skirt captures Kiki in a poised position, focused and absorbed in her writing. Sanyu skillfully uses traditional Chinese brushstroke techniques, with light green chiffon for her blouse, deep purple silk for the knee-length skirt, and a coffee-coloured bob haircut complemented by a pair of black pointed shoes. The composition perfectly reflects the Parisian fashion of the 1930s. In stark contrast, the woman in the painting exudes vibrant and bold makeup. Sanyu skillfully applies cherry blossom pink generously to the protagonist’s cheeks, complemented by heavy ink strokes outlining deep, enchanting eyes and a delicate high nose bridge. This technique enhances the woman’s beauty with a fair and translucent complexion. In terms of lines and composition, Sanyu’s brushwork is both smooth and intricate. The brush gracefully flows from the protagonist’s hair tips, outlining curves that depict the figure with grace. While preserving the distinctive "thighs of the universe", he uses the straight lines of the chair to balance the composition, emitting a dynamic charm of feminine delicacy. In comparison to many explicit depictions of the sensual Kiki by other artists, this piece particularly highlights her intellectual side, radiating a vibrant and captivating aura.

Joy of Life, Flowing through the Years

Seated Lady portrays a delicate European woman. The protagonist in the painting possesses delicate features, with deep-set eyes and a high-bridged nose. Adorned in elegant attire, she wears a modern cloche hat adorned with a bow on the brim. A neat hair tassel is revealed at the nape of her neck, complemented by a soft fur stole draped over her shoulder. The contrast between the smooth pearls of her necklace and the flowing, loose elegance of her attire, extending to the hem of her skirt, epitomizes the fashionable "Flapper" culture among French socialites. She completes her look with classical Mary Jane shoes. Holding a painting board and gazing forward with thoughtful eyes, Sanyu portrays her upright upper body with expressive brushstrokes. He skillfully outlines her classic "toothed" hands–the left lightly supporting the sketch, while the right assumes a poised grip on the brush. In a masterful stroke, he exaggerates the proportions of her slender legs, with feet casually stretching forward and backwards. After World War I, the social status of European women rose, and the image of self-liberation and independent personality is beautifully captured in Sanyu’s unique Eastern brushstrokes.

In Ink’s Dance, a Stature’s Prance

In the embrace of Chinese aesthetics, Sanyu’s minimalist and expressive strokes dared to tackle the taboo of nudity, crafting the iconic "thighs of the universe" nude, hailed by art connoisseur Shao Xunmei as a "treasure in the modern art world". Standing Nude presents a voluptuous figure with ample use of white space, echoing the prevalent Western trend of minimalism. It also incorporates the concept of precision from the literati tradition. The artist starts from the subject’s left shoulder, employing flowing lines to gracefully frame the woman’s full-bodied curves with exaggerated undulations, creating a unique sense of beauty. The "toothed" joints, almond-like eyes, deliberately minimized head proportions, and the contrasting confident pose distinguish this artwork from the restrained posture of Seated Lady. The central figure, unabashedly exposed, delicately touches her head with one hand while gracefully tilting her body to the side, exuding charm without coyness, masterfully showcasing feminine confidence. As Sanyu aptly put it, "Precision gives richness to infinity", embodying the essence of his aesthetic philosophy.

"Our footsteps are too outdated. Our bodies are too fragile, and our lives are too brief. Time, like a vast wave, washes away layers of dust, ultimately revealing the essence’s radiance." Sanyu’s words invite us to feel the wisdom of a generation, realizing that a lifetime’s pursuit of dreams may not always go as planned. Yet, the sincerity and open-heartedness persist, capable of touching people even a century later. Whenever we witness the graceful figures under his brush, it is as if he is reminding us not to forget the moon visible when chasing six pence.

Price estimate:
HKD: 900,000 - 1,200,000
USD: 114,900 - 153,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 1,500,000