The year 2021 marks the 500th anniversary of Xu Wei’s birth.

A versatile artist, his paintings, calligraphy, poems, scripts and art thoughts serve as a source of inspiration for posterity.

Born and brought up in Shaoxing of Zhejiang, he is an important part played in the preservation of local culture.

Masterpieces of Xu Wei’s teachers, friends, students, and the artists inspired by him will be brought to the fore as a commemorative celebration of Xu Wei’s 500th birth anniversary, which is prepared by Xiling Yinshe Auction to encourage more to follow the path of the master.

                                                                        Portrait of Xu Wei

Department of Paintings and Calligraphy

Open Consignment

including but not limited to

Works of Xu Wei, Xu Wei’s teachers, friends, students, and the artists inspired by him.

Tel: +86 571 8789 6779

E-mail: sh@xlysauc.com

▲Xiling Yinshe 2021 Spring Auction

[Zhang Zhao, Pan Tianshuo, Xie Zhiliu, etc.] Xu Wei  Ink Flowers

Ink on paper, hand scroll

Dated 1591

Literature: 1. Collection of Xu Wenchang’s Works, vol. 12, block-printed in Wanli period of Ming Dynasty

2. Manuscripts of Xu Wenchang, vol. 8, block-printed by Zhang Weicheng in 1623

3. Inscriptions for Paintings and Calligraph from Tianpingzhai, 1773

4. Complete Collection of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, vol. 8, pp. 866-867, Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House, 1994

5. Records Heard in the Trip to Laoshan Mountain, p. 636, Fangzhi Publishing House

Note: Inscribed by Zhang Zhao for nine times in Qianlong period. Prefaced by Wang Bomin and inscribed by Wang Geyi, Yu Jianhua and Xie Zhiliu.

Preface: 84 x 31cm   Painting: 545.5 x 31  Inscription: 207.5 x 30.5cm

Estimate: RMB 18,000,000-28,000,000

▲Pan Tianshou’s inscription

▲Xie Zhiliu’s inscription (part)

▲Xiling Yinshe 2021 Spring Auction

YU XINING  INK FLOWERS AFTER XU WEI

Ink on paper, hand scroll+

Painting: 561 x 31cm  Inscription: 67.5 x 31cm

Flowers in Blossom within the Slow Spread of Ink

Ink plum blossom, plantain leaves, chrysanthemums, narcissus, peonies, lotus, grapes and bamboos manifest themselves on the expansive handscroll, each in captivating shape and exuding the elegant aura. The ethereal strokes assume the style of flowing and lucid writing, making Xu Wei among the top of his counterparts irrespective of painting or calligraphy.

▲Inscription with a white seal

▲Inscription with a white seal

▲Inscription with a red seal of Xu Wei

▲Inscription with a white seal of Xu Wei

▲Inscription with a white seal

▲Inscription with a white seal

▲Inscription with a white seal

▲Inscription with a white seal

▲Inscriptions with two red seals

▲Photo of one of the literature: Collection of Xu Wenchang’s Works, vol. 12, Wanli period of Ming Dynasty

Appreciation of painting inscriptions in Tianpingzhai

Zhang Zhao (1691-1745)

Zhang Zhao, a famous official reaching his top level as the minister of the Ministry of Punishments in Qianlong period, was a cultural giant who was omnipotent in literature, poetry, script, calligraphy, painting, opera, music and authentication. In Xu’s painting Ink Flowers, there are eight poems composed by Zhang Zhao for his affection toward the great work. Eight inscriptions for Xu Wei’s one work in Zhang Zhao’s work Inscriptions for Paintings and Calligraphy from Tianpingzhai witnessed Zhang’s love and admiration toward Xu’s work, which is extremely rare.

▲Copy of the literature: Complete Collection of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, vol. 8, pp. 866-867, cited from Zhang Zhao’s work Inscriptions for Paintings and Calligraphy from Tianpingzhai

Inheritance—Masters after Xu Wei: Pan Tianshou, Xie Zhiliu, Wang Geyi, Yu Jianhua and Wang Bomin

Xu Wei’s floral and bird painting skill has a tremendous impact upon the masters afterwards. Almost of the painters who are good at flower and bird paintings have absorbed the essences from Xu Wei’s painting style and formed their own ways. Pan Tianshou, Xie Zhiliu, Wang Geyi, Yu Jianhua and Wang Bomin inscribed for Xu Wei’s Ink Flowers, and no matter their works or their painting theories are all affected by Xu Wei.

▲Pan Tianshou’s inscription

▲Xie Zhiliu’s inscription

▲Wang Geyi’s inscription

▲Yu Jianhua’s inscription

▲Wang Bomin’s preface

A copy of Xu Wei’s Ink Flowers with a typical style of Xu Wei by the modern master Yu Xining is also presented for comparation and appreciation.

▲Yu Xining  Ink Flowers after Xu Wei (part)

Preview of the 500th Anniversary of Xu Wei’s Birth

A unique work in the market—Yang Ke: A turning point from Wang Yangming to Xu Wenchang