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Greetings!
It's been a few months since I've had anything worth posting, but I just bought 2 interesting Chinese paintings on paper.

Can anyone help identify the artist / period?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23676403@N07/sets/72157634113548074/

Each measures 18.5" (48.1 cm)wide x 32.5" (84.5 cm) tall (frame is slightly larger).

Frames appear to be from the mid to late 19th c., but the paintings appear much older.

Gallery label (see photo)is written in French and references being from the LIBRARY OF ART - G. ZAZZARINI in Anvers.

I read that G. Zazzarini (1855-1900) was a publisher of book on art and archeology, a photographer of ancient architectural structures, and apparrently a collector of prints, photographs, and artwork (as the label indicates).

Photos and books published by G. Zazzarini appear in a few Museum collections, so he seems to be fairly famous for his work with antiquities.

Are these lost treasures from the 15/16th c.?

Thanks for your assistance. I can post additional photos if necessary.

Tim

Just an observation: Without a date, signature or seal there is very little in evidence to distinguish your paintings as Ming. Stylistically they treat the depiction of children being taught by their grandfather in much the same manner as Qianjiang-school porcelain painter Fang Tinghui (方廷辉) does the same theme on this square tray. The scene is iconic, reflecting a common and timeless Confucian theme that can be found repeated in Chinese art throughout various dynasties.

The tray's inscription reads down from the top right as "Riches, honors, long life" (富貴壽考 - Fu gui shou kao), "Season of Renchen mid-Summer" (時壬辰夏令仲 - Shi renchen xia ling[?] zhong), and Fang Tinghui's signature and seal on the next line. In the context of Fang's career, which began during the Guangxu reign, the cyclical date of renchen fell in 1892. I'd be inclined to say your paintings also were done in the late 19th century or somewhat later.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thanks for the info. These classical Confusian scenes are really tough to determine their age....especially given how little I know of their history.

It sort of looked to me that the painting had some age to it prior to its framing, which is why I thought it might be Ming period, but I guess that was wishful thinking.

On a side question...

Are you familiar with other popular Confusian themes used in paintings?

My reason for asking is that I just bought a Chinese fan painting with a rather interesting scene of an old man (teacher/scholar?) sleeping at his desk...meantime his young male students are sneaking out of the classroom to play - except for one student.

I'd appreciate knowing your thoughts.

The piece has writing and a signature - you can view the painting if you look for my most recent posting on the message board.

Best,
Tim

Rather than try to summarize the impact of Confucius and risk offense to his disciples with the unintended but inevitable implication of short shrift, I'll just quote the opening line from chapter two about the Great Sage, from my 1960 college text from Columbia University Press. It's title, "The Sources of Chinese Tradition (Volume I)", edited by Wm. Theodore de Bary and compiled by him with collaboration of Wing-tsit Chan and Burton Watson.

"If we were to characterize in one word the Chinese way of life for the last two thousand years, the word would be 'Confucianism.'"

I seriously suggest you get the book. It contains pithy chapters on the movers and shakers who've shaped Chinese civilization since antiquity. Amazon has it in various formats, including Kindle.

If I'm sounding pedantic, perhaps I'm just obeying my Confucian urges to get a little respect by cloaking myself in professorial guise.

Best regards,

Bill H.

'G. Zazzarini Succ' was just the local store name of a well know art dealer in Antwerp (Anvers) - Belgium, named Jef Van Overloop. The paintings were framed and sold there, probably in the late 19th - early 20th century.

Eventually, others could give you more information on the paintings. I am not an expert 'Things Chinese', unfortunately.

Guy

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