Zhu Da Painting with Extraordinary Provenance
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attributed to Zhu Da (BADA Shanren, 1626 - after 1705), Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) ink and colour on paper, inscribed, signed and one red seal of the artist. Framed, 94.5 x 49 cm. Provenance: The incredible provenance relating to this painting, together with the subject matter, which can be traced back for more than a century,make it extraordinary and truly unique. At first in the possession of Mr. Willard straight (1808-1918), a young American diplomat, banker and artist who had a career in the Far-East 'that Midas himself might have envied', who married Dorothy Whitney, the daughter of legendary millionaire William C. Whitney. It is thought that Willard straight and his wife, passed on this present painting, originally purchased in China to their Son Michael straight. Michael Straight's biography appears in: 'Last of the cold war Spies - the life of Michael straight. The only American in Britain's Cambridge Spy Ring' by Roland Perry, and which details how he became an MI5 secret Agent, who eventually admitted to having worked as a spy for the Russians. During the second World War, Michael straight became acquainted with an extraordinary South African man, named Oscar Oeser (1904-1983). A trimly built gentleman, with a keen, narrow gaze and neat moustache, Oeser appreciated fine Art, literature and music; he spoke several languages, supported progressive education, read voraciously, and had a formidable and penetrating intellect. He had been Michael's Professor, and was remarkably also an elite member of the MI5, and was daringly part of the impressive group who helped to decode Enigma during the war. At some point,during this period, Michael straight gifted this painting to Oscar, as a sign of his gratitude and respect, and the work was gratefully received. The painting has thence by descent, been passed to the previous owner- Yvonne Raphael Oeser (22/4/1923-13/12/2020). An important private collection, south Yarra. Willard Straight (1808-1918)
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- Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
- Important - Important is a word used in the antique trade to indicate an object should be ranked above other similar objects, and is therefore more valuable.
The object could be considered important because it is by a famous designer or maker, has been shown at a major exhibition, is of exquisite workmanship, is rare or is a "one-off", was made for an important patron, and so on.
Even further up the pecking order are objects that are described in catalogue descriptions as highly important or extraordinarily important. - Attributed - A cataloguing term where the item in the opinion of the cataloguers, is a of the period of the artist, craftsman or designer, and which probably in whole or part is the work of that person.
- Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
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