antiquesandartireland.com

NO less than 25 works by Zhang Daqian, the top selling artist in the world at auction in 2011, will come under the hammer at Sotheby’s, Hong Kong on  May 27. He and Picasso, who both continue to exert a mesmeric hold on the international art market decades after their deaths, first met in 1956 and became lifelong friends.

Both were warm-hearted and hospitable, fond of conversation, good food and drink, who shared their expertise and ideas about painting. When Zhang learned that Picasso had been experimenting with Chinese painting techniques for some time, Zhang – ever the exponent of correct technique – presented his friend with his own set of Chinese brushes.

This single-owner collection of Zhang Daqian’s work at Sotheby’s is unparalleled. It was assembled by Kao Ling-Mei, a close friend of the artist. In the late 1950’s the two men collaborated on a major publication exploring Zhang’s art, theories and techniques: Chinese Paintings with the Original Paintings & Discourses on Chinese Art by Professor Chang Dai-chien. Many seminal works illustrated in the book will highlight the sale which is expected to bring in more than $14 million US.

UPDATE:  THE SALE SOARED OVER ESTIMATE AND REALISED $42 MILLION DOLLARS US.