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Lot Essay
The dedication of Rengong refers to Xu Beihong’s good friend Li Jishen (1885-1959). A native of Jiangsu, Li was once commander and acting president of the Whampoa Military Academy. After opposing Jiang Zhongjing he was expelled from the Kuomintang and locked up in Tangshan, Guilin, before being appointed as the Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Government of the Republic of China during the Fujian rebellion. Due to Li’s heroic acts and patriotism, many of his peers and followers used the designation Rengong as a mark of respect.
Li had deep admiration towards Xu, often buying loquats as a gift for Xu when Li was living in Nanjing. During the chaos of war, many of Xu’s paintings were kept safe thanks to Li, who hid them in Guilin. Xu painted Loquats for Li as a gesture of thanks-the inscription recalls the times when Xu received the fruits from him, and their deep friendship. Created in 1950, Stallion depicts a magnificent horse painted with bold strokes, believed to be a celebration of the establishment of a new China as well as their continued friendship.
Li had deep admiration towards Xu, often buying loquats as a gift for Xu when Li was living in Nanjing. During the chaos of war, many of Xu’s paintings were kept safe thanks to Li, who hid them in Guilin. Xu painted Loquats for Li as a gesture of thanks-the inscription recalls the times when Xu received the fruits from him, and their deep friendship. Created in 1950, Stallion depicts a magnificent horse painted with bold strokes, believed to be a celebration of the establishment of a new China as well as their continued friendship.