Oil on canvas

57×120 cm. 22 1/2×47 1/4 in.

Signed in Chinese on bottom left

LITERATURE
2007, The Catalogue Raisonné of Ai Zhongxin, Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, Beijing, p. 203
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the artist

Majestic and Vigorous
The Sturdy Cypresses by Ai Zhongxin

As a significant figure in 20th-century Chinese art and education, Ai Zhongxin entered the Art Department of National Central University in 1936. He studied Western-style oil painting under Xu Beihong, Wu Zuoren, and Lv Sibai, art theory under Fu Baoshi, and traditional Chinese landscape painting under Huang Junbi. Ai became a leading representative of the second generation of Chinese oil painters. Upon graduation, he was chosen by Xu Beihong as his assistant and later served as a professor at the China Academy of Art, vice president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and a director of the China Artists Association. Throughout his career, Ai left behind an invaluable legacy in the Chinese art world through his numerous writings and artworks.

For Ai Zhongxin, "trees" were a lifelong symbol of his spirit. Captivated by a cypress tree painted by Xu Beihong during his university days, Ai found spiritual solace in ancient trees, especially after the Cultural Revolution. He frequently depicted these resilient trees, marking a creative resurgence. Today, fewer than 24 of his tree-themed paintings are known. The Ancient Cypresses, featured this autumn, is one of the most notable examples. This large-scale work, highlighted in several important publications, is being released by its original collector for the first time in nearly half a century, making it exceptionally rare.

Reaching Greater Heights, Standing the Test of Time
A Majestic Journey through Nature

In The Ancient Cypresses, Ai Zhongxin uses a long composition (57 x 120 cm) and the traditional Chinese landscape technique of "three distances" to create a panoramic scene. The foreground features two towering cypresses, their thick trunks rendered with layers of brown and deep green, giving them a solid appearance. The lush, cloud-like canopies spread horizontally, enhancing their steady character. The middle ground, in bright yellow-green with deep green accents, abstractly depicts a vast field. In the background, a pastel blue sky blends with dark mountains, creating a misty, poetic atmosphere. Ai skillfully uses grey tones to balance light and shadow, with rich yet subtle colours, giving a sense of serenity.

Beyond celebrating the grandeur of nature, the painting exudes a strong sense of humanistic sentiment. The intertwined branches of the two cypresses in The Ancient Cypresses symbolise Ai and his wife, actress Li Lili, sharing their later years. The scene also echoes Van Gogh's Wheat Field with Cypresses, reflecting the artist's unyielding pursuit of life and ideals. A white eagle perched on a branch, known for its fierce hunting skills, watches over the land, ready to soar, symbolising the artist's enduring ambition despite his age.

Ai Zhongxin, a deeply knowledgeable scholar, contributed to important works like the Encyclopedia of China: Arts Volume and The New Literature and Arts in China Series, and wrote prefaces for figures like Xu Beihong and Wu Zuoren.However, he was so humble that he seldom talked about himself. Despite his humility, his influence on Chinese art has been profound. His works are like timeless poetic ballads, narrating majestic landscapes and the artist's steadfast approach to life.

Price estimate:
HKD 350,000 – 450,000
USD 44,900 – 57,700

Auction Result:
HKD: 420,000