Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Picked this up from a sale today.
He seemed to be an artist from the late 19th early 20th that found favor with the European and Americans collectors after the St Louis Worlds Fair. He depicted chinese living and had a store in Beijing. Image 10”H 12”W

I found this one online that is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Second row down.
http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/results.html?searchTxt=&bSuggest=1&searchNameID=61492

There are absolute variances both in color choice and design. Mine does not seem to be a print. The signature matches and you can notice the texture of the pith paper. This is a Goddess that when prayed to, would give you a son(translated from left?). I think the actual artistic workmanship is better in my item then the museums.

Do you think it is possible that he made several of the same subject, just with variations, as he was not commissioned by any formal means? Or could mine be a good rendition ill signed?

Additionally, i added four images from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, all depicting the same image of woman but different Goddesses.








Link :Zhou Pei Chun

These are watercolor block prints.
Apparently, your one was made from a slightly differently engraved block. It is difficult to know how many variations were printed and which one is considered to be original. Furthermore,
the blocks have been re-engraved several times, resulting in series of prints. Horribile dictu, it could be even a modern print.

With regards,
I.Nagy

With much thanks. Alway respect and appreciate your input.

Sounds like you've already found the essentials on Zhou Peichun. I've picked up a portfolio of his miniature (about 4"x5") pith paintings and a larger framed example of his work during the past dozen or so years. I always considered the portfolio, which contains 16 paintings, possibly to have come from the 1904 Saint Louis World's Fair. Here's a link to an earlier forum thread regarding the artist:

http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/index.php?method=detailAll&Id=71677&PHPSESSID=c4p3lrrlc34031f6t11k6fa6o5

Also, additional pictures from the portfolio below:

A. Infant receiving a vaccination.

B. Poor family having a meal.

C. Boys playing 'Kick the shuttlecock'

It has occurred to me that Zhou probably had other artists working in his Beijing studio to produce some of the items he sold to customers there and at the fair. However, I don't recall ever seeing another set like what I have.

Best regards,

Bill H

Thank you too Bill, very appreciate.

Your prints are wonderful. The signature stamps seem to all be much tighter than mine and very consistent with most all I fine. This is leading me to think I.Nagy could be right on it being more current. Possibly

Thank you both again.

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |