Zhang Daqian (1899-1983), ALISHAN IN OBLIQUE SUNRISE, 1980, 24.25” x 52.25”
In April, a painting by Chinese artist Zhang Daqian that was estimated to sell at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong for $8 million sold for $35 million to Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian, who just announced he will build a third art museum in China.
Who is Zhang Daqian and why does his work consistently sell for high sums at auction? His considered one of the greatest masters of Chinese art in the 20th century. He also was well known for his outstanding forgeries. Although he was well-trained in traditional Chinese painting styles, later in life he began to use a splashed-color technique that appealed to collectors because of its expressive content.
