Wang Siren

WANG SIREN (1576-1646) Five-character Poem in Running Script Fan leaf, mounted and framed, ink on gold paper 17.2 x 53 cm. (6 3/4 x 20 3/4 in.) Inscribed and signed, with one seal of the artist Dedicated to Baili 1 PREVIOUSLY IN THE COLLECTION OF KEIKOKU GEJO Originally named Masao, Keikoku Gejo (1842-1920) was a painter of the Japanese Kano school. In 1879 he founded the Ryuchikai, precursor of the present Japan Art Association. In 1883 he held art exhibitions in Paris. A celebrated painter during the Meiji era, Gejo was principal of the navy accounting school from 1892 to 1893 and became Member of the House of Peers in 1897. He was highly respected as a great collector of Chinese and Japanese classical paintings and calligraphy. Part of his collection had been published in important art books and some pieces were registered national treasure. Wang Siren (1576-1646) was born in the Zhejiang province. He passed the imperial examination in 1595, the twenty-third year of the Wanli era (1572-1620). The most senior governmental post held by Wang was Deputy Secretary for Rites. Wang's paintings, works of poetry and calligraphy were as famed as those by Dong Qichang (1555 - 1636) and Chen Jiru (1558 - 1639). In 1646, after his hometown Shaoxing was captured by the Qing army, Wang committed suicide by starving himself, aged 71.

WANG SIREN (1576-1646) Poem in Running Cursive Script Calligraphy Hanging scroll, ink on silk 186.5 x 50.5 cm. (73 3/8 x 19 7/8 in.) Signed by the artist: Lu You, Wang Si Ren Two seals of the artist: Wang Si Ren Yin, Ji Zhong Shi Lot Notes US$10,300-12,900