Gao Qi-Feng
A native of Panyu in Guangdong province, Gao
Qifeng (1889-1933), original name Weng, was the younger brother of Gao
Jianfu (1879?951), with whom he learned painting in his early years before
also going to Japan , in 1907, to study under Tanaka Raisho (1868-1940). He
is also acclaimed as one of the "Three Masters of the Lingnan School ".
This painting is one of the finest examples of Gao Qifeng's work. A couple
of chickens are depicted sheltering peacefully under a birch-leaf pear
tree. Falling petals and a colour-washed background, together with the two
resting chickens, create a romantic, poetic and dream-like visual impact.
Exquisitely executed, the chickens and the birch-leaf pear are vivid and
solid, yet the artist is able to capture a transient moment of nature. Gao
successfully combined the poetic element of Chinese painting, Japanese
pleinair painting and Western techniques to develop a unique personal
style.
