Oil on canvas

48.5×35.5 cm. 19 1/8×14 in.

Signed and dated in Chinese with a painted seal on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the artist's family in 1990s

A Life of Elegance and Richness Immersed in Art Education
Fang Xuegu's Rare Floral Masterpiece

"Art possesses its own great and unique spirit, a steadfast and passionate embrace that reveals itself to the world. It evokes laughter, joy, sorrow, and tears, causing one to forget oneself and become one with life..."
——Chen Qiucao on the White Goose Painting Institute

By the late 19th century, Shanghai had become a pioneer in embracing new Western ideas, leading to the introduction of Western painting to China. The city's commercial prosperity elevated the public demand for arts and culture to unprecedented heights. In 1923, Fang Xuegu, along with Chen Qiucao and Pan Sitong, co-founded the White Goose Western Painting Society, a spearhead dedicated to the study of Western painting and art education. During the 15 years since its establishment, the society attracted nearly 3,000 students, and disseminated art knowledge to the public through publications, extending its influence to Southeast Asia. As one of its founders, Fang Xuegu was a pivotal figure in art education in the early 20th century. His A Vase of Flowers, completed in 1932, comes from an important private Asian collector and has been cherished for over three decades. Created during a vibrant period of Fang's career, when he was actively involved with the White Goose Painting Society, the painting reflects the flourishing energy of his prime.

A Tapestry of Blooms, Bursting with Vitality

In this work, Fang Xuegu depicts a lush arrangement of flowers in a tall celadon vase. The painting exudes a rustic elegance, with the vase's rounded body adorned with motifs of scholars wandering through idyllic landscapes, while its angular base features modern, minimalist patterns. This fusion of styles, rare in traditional ceramics, reflects the cultural blending characteristic of Shanghai at the time. The tablecloth beneath the vase is painted with vibrant red and blue patterns, imbued with a folkloric charm that contrasts delightfully with the refined porcelain. The flowers in the vase, occupying the majority of the canvas, burst with strong vitality and vigour. At the centre of the bouquet, white peonies, which symbolise purity and grace, are flanked by red roses that represent passionate love. Additionally, white hydrangeas, embodying inclusivity, sanctity, and hope, provide a complementary backdrop, as if whispering aspirations for life. The composition is further enriched by some scattered green leaves, which are arranged with a rhythmic, almost musical cadence, conveying the artist's exuberant passion for life.

Price estimate:
HKD 35,000 - 55,000
USD 4,500 - 7,100