Chinese Scroll Painting of Kneeling Scholar by Zhang Daqian

DescriptionA Chinese painting of a scholar kneeling and holding small blossoming branch of chrysanthemums by Zhang Da-Qian (Chang Dai-chien) the famous 20th century artist (1899-1983). Painted in light colors and ink on paper. This painting is published in the book, “Collections of Works of Famous Chinese Painters”.One of the best-known and most prodigious Chinese artists of the twentieth century. Originally known as a traditionalist painter, by the 1960s he was also renowned as a modern impressionist and expressionist painter. When he was young, Zhang Yuan was captured by bandits and held for ransom. When the bandit chief ordered him to write a letter home demanding a ransom, he was so impressed by the boy’s brushmanship that he made the boy his personal secretary. During the more than three months that he was held captive, he read books of poetry which the bandits had looted from raided homes. When he was grown, he lived in Japan, Argentina, Brazil, California and Taiwan. While living in Carmel, California in the 1960’s he became popular, having his first solo exhibition at Stanford University.Age: Mid 20th CenturyDimensions: Total size: 77 1/2″ high x 28 1/8″ wide (31 5/8″ wide including roller ends). Size of art: 44 1/2″ high x 23 3/4″ wide