Chinese Scroll: Li Bai and His Disciple

Anonymous, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), a Chinese painted scroll depicting the Tang Poet Li Bai, signed BADA Shanren (1626 -, after 1705), after Zhu Da, ink and colour on paper, framed, illustrating the famed Tang poet Li Bai (701-762), who raises his ink brush to the distant mountains, assisted here by a disciple who holds the duan ink stone up to his master. An inscription appears to the left hand side of the scroll, which loosely translated is: By the calm of the waters, He writes countless letters, Endowed by Heaven more than all others, The poem just scribed, as though a new one by Yang Xiong, His Fame Greater than that of mount Penglai., painted for enjoyment by Bada Shanren. Note: Yang Xiong (53 BCE-18 CE) was a Han dynasty scholar, poet, and author famed for his philosophical writings and fu poetry compositions, and mount Penglai is a mystical land where the immortals lived.]. Provenance: The known provenance relating to this painting, together with the selected subject matter, which can be traced back for more than a century makes it really quite an extraordinary, and truly unique work. If only Li Bai's brush, poised mid-air could recount the tale?, At first in the possession of Mr. Willard Straight (1808-1918), a handsome 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 painting of Li Bai and his Disciple, 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 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 became acquainted with an extraordinary South African man, named Oscar Oeser (1904-1983). A fine, 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 active period, Michael Straight gifted the Li Bai 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 current owner. The subject matter is equally compelling. Li Bai with his disciple by his side and May have mirrored the relationship between this modern day Teacher and Pupil as well.