MOMA to sell Zhang Daqian artwork

An Assemblage of Fruits, by Qi Baishi. Photos provided to China Daily

The Museum of Modern Art in New York will sell its splash-ink painting by Zhang Daqian (Chang Dai-chien, 1899-1983), Lotus in the Wind, at an April auction in Hong Kong, with proceeds benefiting its acquisitions fund.

Zhang painted the work in 1961 as a gift to his friend Guo Zijie, who helped arrange activities for Zhang when he traveled extensively in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s. Guo later donated the work to MOMA.

The painting shows a critical transition in Zhang's art career, when he transferred from the xieyi (free brushwork) style to splashing ink and colors on paper. Zhang produced many lotus paintings to test his splash-ink technique.

The painting, which has appeared in several important exhibitions of Zhang's art, will go under the hammer at Sotheby's sales on April 7.