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Hello. I'm new to this forum. We have had this hanging scroll for many years that we found at the Goodwill. Can anyone shed some insight on this artwork? Preliminary research indicates that it is by Xu Beihong and the seal translates to "Prince of the Eastern Sea". How do we tell if it is a reproduction or not? Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

You didn't mention size. Also, a close-up the calligraphy, and a photo of any label on the outside of the scroll when rolled up. A few extreme close-ups (macros) of the painting could also help come to some conclusions.

I have looked through all the pictures of BeiHong horses on Google, and none of them have a horse in that position, with the forelegs apart and the tail swishing downward. The closest had the forelegs crossed and the tail swishing upwards.

However, with more information, we should be able to advise you on your next step in working out what you have.

Ah, thanks so much for the feedback! I just saw this message. I will take additional photos and post them.

Hi again. These dimensions are approximate...

Overall scroll size (without dowels): 61 x 21 1/2 inches

Actual artwork dimensions:
29 1/4 x 16 7/8 inches

Here are a few close-up images of the seal on the back and artwork/background scroll fabric.

It's a museum repro !
The printed inscription on the label is self-explanatory.
徐悲鴻　　-　Xu Beihong
馬軸　　　-　Horse scroll
國立歴史博物館　-　National Museum of History
(NHM is located in the Nanhai Academy in Taipei)

With regards,
I.Nagy

Thank you so much for the information. We really appreciate it! It's wonderful to know where it originally came from.

Here is an additional image of the calligraphy

Here is an example I found that looks very close to our horse via the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Our horse has an open mouth)



URL Title :https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/72778

Colophon reads,
壬午晩秋悲鴻重慶作　-
Made by Beihong in Chongqing , Late Autumn of 1942
Seal,
東海王孫　-　Donghai Wang-sun　－　Descendant of Donghai (Eastern Sea) Princes

Xu Beihong was proud of his alleged descendance.
No one can comment on authenticity from the screen. You have to take it to a reputed gallery or museum.

With regards,
I.Nagy

With regards,
I.Nagy

The quality of the painting doesn't appear to match that of Xu Beihong. In the link below, the last post is a painting by Xu Beihong from the Peabody Essex Museum. If you compare the two, you'll see what I mean.

http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/subforum.php?method=detailAll&Id=117386&sfid=4

Cheers,
Stan

The printed label gives a couple of clues. If this was an original, the label would have been handwritten.

Furthermore, though a little indistinct, the printing in the lower left corner indicates this could be a museum reproduction.

Most museum reproductions are of high quality. Enjoy the image.

Thank you all for your helpful responses. It's greatly appreciated. I also contacted the Chinese Painting team at Christies (emailing them photos) and they concur - this is a reproduction.

"Unfortunately, the work is a print, a reproduction made by National Museum of History to be specific, as seen in the titleslip attached. The artist’s inscription reads: painted by Beihong in Chongqing in the late Autumn of renwu year (1942). I hope it helps! Thank you and best wishes, Chinese Paintings department"

Upon closer inspection last night, I thought I could detect the halftone rosettes in some areas where the ink is a lighter color.

Ah, well...we do love this image, so there's still that!

Cheers everyone!

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