Artist: Zhang Daqian (1899-1983)

Date: Modern, dated 1947

Dimensions: Height 178.0 cm, Width 79.8 cm

Material: Ink and colour on golden silk

• Object Type：
  • PAINTINGS
• Location：
  • The Painting and Calligraphy of Shanghai Gallery
• Tag：
  • lotus hanging scroll zhang daqian modern 1947 ink and colour golden silk

Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), whose given name was Yuan and who went by his hao (literary name) Daqian, was a native of Neijiang in Sichuan province. This painting was completed in the spring of 1947, after Zhang had returned from his journey to Dunhuang, where he had extensively studied and copied the Tang dynasty murals of the Mogao Caves. His exposure to these ancient works profoundly influenced his style, leading to significant artistic transformation. This piece, executed using the outline and color-filling technique on a gold silk background that forms a contrast with the red lotuses and green leaves, exudes a sense of grandeur and elegance. It represents his mid-career synthesis of classical and contemporary elements. In the summer of the same year, Zhang gifted this painting to the Shanghai connoisseur Wu Hufan, who was also known for painting lotus.