‘WHITE RABBIT’, BY LOU SHIBAI (1918-2010)

‘WHITE RABBIT’, BY LOU SHIBAI (1918-2010) Ink and watercolors on paper. Depicting a rabbit crouching in the grass, with almond-shaped red eyes and long erect ears. Inscriptions: Upper right, signed ‘Shibai’. One seal. Provenance: The property of a Gentleman in London, United Kingdom. Condition: Excellent condition with only minor old wear, minimal abrasions and fading. Dimensions: Image size 34 x 26.8 cm, Size incl. frame 46 x 38.6 cm Matted and framed behind glass. Lou Shibai (1918-2010) was a Chinese painter born in Beijing. He was Qi Baishi’s apprentice for 25 years, learning the arts of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving at his master’s home from the age of 14 until his death in 1957. He is considered an important successor of Qi Baishi who nonetheless was innovative in his own themes and techniques. Auction result comparison: Compare a related but larger (59 x 96 cm) painting by the same artist, with similar rabbits, at Poly International on 11 August 2012, lot 5631, sold for EUR 16,229 (CNY 126,500). 婁師白(1918-2010)《白兔》 紙本設色。一隻白兔臥在草地上，大紅眼睛長耳朵。 款識：師白 鈴印：師白 來源：英國倫敦一位紳士的收藏。 品相：狀況極佳，只有輕微的舊時磨損、極少的缺和褪色。 尺寸：畫面34 x 26.8 厘米，含框46 x 38.6 厘米 玻璃面裝框 拍賣結果比較：一件《白兔》尺寸更大 (59 x 96 厘米) ﹐見保利2012年8月11日 lot 5631, 售價EUR 16,229 (CNY 126,500)。