Scroll Height: 92 7/8" Width: 27 3/4" Painting Height: 59 1/4" Width: 17 7/8" Zheng Banqiao (鄭板橋; 1693-1765) Chinese traditional scroll painting, grisaille ink on paper laid to silk, hanging scroll. Signed.Swift brush stokes define the bamboo as if the artist knew the very essence of the tree, by Zheng Banqiao (1693-1765). A Chinese painter from Jiangsu. Impoverished at birth, Zheng overcame his situation in the exam system to become a magistrate at Shandong. Eventually Zheng become the official calligrapher and painter for emperor Qianlong during the Qing Dynasty. Renowned as being one of the best at painting bamboo. An inscription on one of his bamboo paintings orates: "Firmly cleave to the mountain, take root in a fractured bluff; grow stronger after tribulations, and withstand gales from all directions." Semi-cursive calligraphy line the left edge followed by red official seal marks. PROVENANCE: From the heirloom collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨; October 21, 1903-June 6, 1984) was a Chinese political figure and historian, government official who served as mayor of Hankow (1932-1938), mayor of Chung-king (1939-1941), political vice minister of foreign affairs (1943-45), mayor of Shanghai (1946-1948), and governor of Taiwan (1950-1952) and the former Chairman of Taiwan Provincial Government. He resigned in 1953 and went to the United States, charging that Taiwan was becoming a police state.K.C. Wu lived in the United States where he served as professor of Chinese history at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. During his time in the United States, he wrote various works, including a detailed analysis on Chinese culture in the context of mythology and early history in his book The Chinese Heritage.Wu is remembered mainly for his vital role in the formation of a liberal modern Taiwan and his anti-communist beliefs typical of a member of Kuomintang, but he is also remembered for his brave anti-Kuomintang rhetoric and turbulent disagreements with the more Russian-styled second President of Taiwan.The Collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨) presented and offered up to auctions ON DAY-1: from Lot-97 through Lot-127, continued from Lot-219 through Lot-255. ON DAY-2: from Lot-354 through Lot-377, continued from Lot-451 through Lot-480.LOT NOTES: Zheng Xie (鄭燮; 1693-1765), commonly known as Zheng Banqiao (鄭板橋) was a Chinese painter from Jiangsu. He began life in poverty but rose in the exam system to become a magistrate at Shandong. However, after 12 years, he became critical of the life of an official as he refused to ingratiate himself with senior officials. When he was reportedly criticized for building a shelter for the poor, he resigned. After that, he expressed himself in art and became one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou. He was noted for his drawing of orchids, bamboo, and stones. In 1748 he briefly resumed an official career as official calligrapher and painter for the Qianlong Emperor.Zheng was also a calligrapher who created a new calligraphy style influenced by his orchid drawings. Added to this, he had an interest in literature and poetry. He preferred to write about ordinary people in a natural style. Condition Natural imperfection on the medium (paper or silk), regardless from any major damages; includes light blooms, discoloration and minor fading. Consider normal due to the ages. All lots are sold as is and where is. Lauren Galleries provides condition reports upon request to aide in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, Lauren Galleries does not give refunds based on condition. Lauren Galleries does not perform any shipping or packing services. We do have a list of suggested shippers who gladly provide quotes prior to your bidding. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers.