"QU JUAN IN THE BAMBOO FORREST", BY FU BAOSHI (1904-1965) China, 1963. Ink and color on paper, hanging scroll. The top left corner with a seal "Baoshi" and the inscription "In the fifth month of the year 1963, Fu Baoshi". Fine Japanese brocade mounting. Provenance: A private collector who lived in Beijing for many years, and from 1955 to 1965 in Korea, and who was in good contact with China's ruling class of the time. Auction House Zezula, Brno, Czech Republic, March 31, 2012, lot 702, sold for CZK 1,200,000 hammer price, not including buyer's premium (approximately 60.500 euro including buyer's premium). A private collector in London, United Kingdom, acquired from the above. Condition: Superb condition with only minor creases and minimal stains. Expert Opinion: Michaela PejčochovA, Ph.D., Curator of the Chinese art collections at the National Gallery Prague states in a letter dated 11 May 2012: "As for the authenticity of the image, it does not show any signs or suspicion of a copy or fake in terms of style and technique of execution compared to other confirmed works of this master. The method of imprinting the seal and the quality of the work also support its anticipated age. After consulting with Chinese colleagues, I believe that this is the author's original work." (This text has been translated from the original text of the letter, which was written in Czech language. Please note that only the Czech version of the letter has binding effect.) Copies of the Czech letter and its English translation are accompanying this lot. Dimensions: 52 x 38 cm (the painting) and 120 x 56 cm (the scroll) Qu Yuan (c. 340-278 BC) was a Chinese poet and politician who lived during the Warring States period. He is known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry and verses, especially through the poems of the Chu Ci anthology (also known as The Songs of the South). Together with the Shi Jing, the Chu Ci is one of the two greatest collections of ancient Chinese verse. Qu is also remembered in connection to the supposed origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. In 278 BC, learning of the capture of his country's capital, Ying, by General Bai Qi of the state of Qin, Qu Yuan is said to have collected folktales and written the lengthy poem of lamentation called "Lament for Ying". Eventually, he committed suicide by wading into the Miluo River in today's Hubei Province while holding a rock. Auction result comparison: Compare with a closely related work bearing the same subject and of comparable size at Sotheby's Hong Kong in Fine Chinese Paintings, 06 October 2008, lot 1171, sold for HKD $1,100,000. 竹林屈原，傅抱石 (1904-1965) 中國，1963。紙本設色，挂軸。左上方"抱石"鈴印，落款"一九六三年五月 傅抱石"。日式裝裱。 來源：一位在北京生活多年的私人藏家，1955 - 1965 年生活在韓國，在當時他和中國高層有很好的關係。捷克布爾諾Zezula拍賣行，2012年3月31日，拍號 702，成交價CZK 1.200.000，不含買家佣金。 (約 60.500 euro 含買家佣金)。英國倫敦私人藏家，購於上述收藏。 品相：極好的品相，只有輕微的摺痕和污漬。 專家意見：2012年5月11日在布拉格國家美術館的中國美術權威Michaela PejčochovA博士的信中說："此畫作的真實性，在與該作者的其他畫作比較後，在風格及技術上沒有任何仿製的跡象。印章的印製方法和作品的質量也支持其預期的年齡。 與中國同事協商後，我相信這是作者的原創作品。" （本文是用捷克語寫成的原始信件翻譯而成。請注意，只有捷克語版本才具有約束力。）捷克語信件的複印件及其英文翻譯隨附於此。 尺寸：畫面52 x 38 厘米，挂軸120 x 56 厘米 拍賣結果比較：一件相似作品2008年10月6日于香港蘇富比《中國繪畫》，拍號1171，成交價HKD $1,100,000。