The first thousand one hundred and forty-six chapters
Uncle Wu said: "Although I can't be sure, there is nothing wrong with the painting, the inscription, or even the mounting, paper and scroll."
"So! No one dares to say that this painting is not Zheng Banqiao's bamboo and stone painting. Even if the Shenzhen Museum now collects an authentic painting, it cannot prove that this painting is fake. You see, this is the painting I bought back then.
Evidence of the painting." As he said that, Uncle Li took out the sales agreement and let Han Kongque and others watch it.
"In the end, let's look at ancient paintings!" Uncle Wu casually handed the agreement to Han Peacock and said.
Uncle Wu didn't even raise his eyelids. He was still looking at the picture, and the one who was most interested in him was Wei Changqing.
Just now he was very optimistic about the Buddha statue, but Han Peacock was not optimistic about it. Although he didn't know why, Wei Changqing believed in Han Peacock's judgment. But now that he encountered Zheng Banqiao's bamboo and stone painting, Wei Changqing changed his target.
I have to say that this picture is indeed a masterpiece. It shows a clump of green bamboo under an abrupt stone cliff. On the upper right side of the bamboo stone is the popular five-character poem, which expresses the nobility of bamboo and the author's purpose.
"Stick to the green mountains and never let go, and the roots are still in the chaotic cliffs. After many hardships, you are still strong, and you are brave in all directions." After the poem, there are 12 small characters signed such as "Chongxuan's old father is in charge of politics, Banqiao's brother is Xie", etc.
Then seal the inscribed square seal of "Zheng Banqiao" and the long seal of "Old and Painting".
From this point of view, this is ¤◇,ww■w. Zheng Banqiao's work in his old age, and a work of socializing with an old gentleman named "Chongxuan".
Wei Changqing said: "This calligraphy and painting in the Shenzhen Museum was donated by the late Mr. Shang Chengzuo, a master of calligraphy and painting collection, in the early 1990s. It has been identified as a treasure by domestic calligraphy and painting appraisal authorities.
In November 1995, after appraisal expert Shi Shuqing saw the painting, he gave the opinion that "it's true, the painting should be simple. Level 2 is acceptable"; in 1996, calligraphy and painting appraisal expert Yang Renkai gave the opinion of "no problem"
; In April 1999, appraisal expert Liu Guangqi's opinion was that "the painting method is rare (mainly refers to diagonally stretched bamboo), and the second grade is acceptable."
Therefore, that painting is absolutely impossible to be fake, and every detail of this painting is the same as that one. Do you think it is possible that this is another masterpiece of Zheng Banqiao’s later years?”
This situation is of course possible. After all, Zheng Banqiao also has to eat. It is very possible that there are two paintings of the same painting. But the greater possibility is that they are fakes made by modern people. After all, Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy and paintings are too expensive.
In recent years, there has been an unprecedented craze for collecting in China. Antiques or quasi-antiques are instantly worth hundreds of times and are widely favored. This is especially true for calligraphy and paintings by ancient famous artists. The market price of a painting can reach staggering levels.
The famous Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou in the Qing Dynasty, their painting style characteristics can be summarized as "strange", "crazy" and "weird". Their style is noble and highly recognized by the market.
As the leader of the Eight Monsters, Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy and painting works are even more popular. The prices have soared.
According to the 2011 spring special auction in Kuangshi, the capital, a painting of Zheng Banqiao's "Bamboo, Stone, Orchid and Hydrangea" was sold for a sky-high price of 46 million yuan.
You should know that Zheng Banqiao, a Yangzhou painter who lived in the middle of the Qing Dynasty, was famous for his "Three Wonders of Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting", but he came from a poor family. His mother died young and his father was a teacher.
In addition, his official career was not smooth, and he passed the Jinshi examination at the age of 44. In the end, he only became a county magistrate.
After resigning, he went to Yangzhou to make a living selling paintings. Because of his reputation and the number of people asking for paintings, the 67-year-old Zheng Banqiao simply decided on his own style. The price was clearly marked: "Large 6 taels, medium 4 taels, small 2 taels, banner
One or two couplets, five coins for each fan. Any gift or food is not as good as silver; what is given by the father may not be what the younger brother likes.
If you give cash in cash, your heart will be filled with joy, and your calligraphy and painting will be good. Gifts are entangled, and credit is especially bad. You are old and tired, and you cannot accompany gentlemen to make useless words. It costs more to paint bamboo than to buy bamboo, and the price of paper six feet high is three thousand
.Let Qu’s words and old opinions be exchanged, just as the autumn wind passes by my ears.”
In an era when literati were shy about talking about A Duwu, Zheng Banqiao's courage to make an astonishing move against the trend was truly extraordinary and bold. Therefore, not to mention two paintings of the same painting, even three or four,
It is also possible.
"Brother Han, what do you think?" Wei Changqing asked after seeing Han Kongque's eyes finally leaving the agreement.
Han Peacock smiled and said: "It is normal for this kind of antique to be controversial. Why don't you also take a look at this agreement? Maybe you will gain something."
With that said, Han Kongque handed the agreement to Wei Changqing.
The agreement was not long. Wei Changqing glanced at it and read it all. It was just an ordinary purchase and sale agreement, and there was nothing particularly conspicuous about it. However, since Han Kongque said it, there was something special about it.
"Does the problem lie with Cheng Weiliang?" In the end, Wei Changqing couldn't find out what the problem was, so he could only place the signature on the ancient painting sold to Uncle Li, and the signature was Cheng Weiliang.
Han Kongque nodded and said, "Yes, that's the only problem. This Cheng family is not simple."
Wei Changqing has a strong spirit and a good memory. Soon he knew why Han Kongque said this.
In the mid-Qing Dynasty, when Zheng Banqiao lived, the price of a large painting at that time was only sixty taels of silver. It is difficult to say clearly whether it is cheap or expensive.
If compared with the low prices at that time, six taels of silver was indeed a large sum of money, equivalent to the annual expenses of an ordinary family.
But compared with the sky-high painting prices of later generations, it is really nothing.
If you meet a knowledgeable buyer when selling paintings, the price will naturally be much higher.
For example, before Zheng Banqiao passed the Jinshi examination, in the early spring of the thirteenth year of Yongzheng's reign (1735), he went for an outing in the suburbs of Yangzhou. He accidentally came to a house and saw his own lyrics posted on the wall.
Just when he was feeling proud, the head of the household, the aunt, dragged her daughter, Miss Rao, out.
When she heard that the husband in front of her was the famous Zheng Banqiao, Miss Rao was overjoyed and said affectionately: "I have heard about my name for a long time and read his poems, and I love him very much. I heard that he has "Ten Poems of Taoism", can I write it for my concubine?"
Zheng Banqiao wrote "Ten Poems on Taoism" with a stroke of his pen, and also wrote a piece of "Moon over the Xijiang River" as a gift to her: "The light rain has just stopped at dawn, and the rising sun has just warmed up the screen window. The embroidered curtains and incense are half dreaming,
The parrots are not awake outside the window. The sound of tea in the eyes of crabs is quiet, and the shadows of shrimp whiskers are light and bright. The plum blossoms are getting old and the apricot blossoms are even, and the rouge is timid and cold every night."
The old aunt heard that Zheng Banqiao was widowed and offered to marry her youngest daughter to him.
Zheng Banqiao was naturally happy when he saw that the fifth-ranked girl, Rao, was young, beautiful, smart, and a die-hard fan of his. After saying a few polite words, he happily agreed and made an appointment with him two years later when he won the Jinshi.
Come and get married again.
This matter was found out by Cheng Yuchen, a businessman from Jiangxi. He admired Zheng Banqiao very much and took out 500 taels of silver as a bride price for him and gave it to the Rao family.
Two years later, when Zheng Banqiao came back from the capital to get married, he sent another 500 taels of silver to Zheng Banqiao as the cost of marrying his new wife.
This anecdote is not from official records, nor is it anecdotal rumors. It was written in "Banqiao Occasionally" when Zheng Banqiao was in office in Shandong in the twelfth year of Qianlong's reign, and was trapped in Ji, Nanxiang to "lock the courtyard" during the examination.
"The self-narration in "This text is included in most Banqiao anthologies, so it should be more authentic.
Of course, Cheng Yuchen's money was not given in vain, the compensation was Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy and painting.
But the businessman surnamed Cheng was a very knowledgeable person. When he asked for paintings, he wanted to see the mood of celebrities. "Banqiao is a bit unsatisfactory, so I don't dare to force the request."
Businessmen pay attention to using capital for profit. It is estimated that Cheng's relationship with the painter will not be a loss-making transaction. Zheng Banqiao must have given him a considerable amount of calligraphy and painting.
The cost price of each piece of this batch of calligraphy and painting is not high. If it were passed down to future generations and preserved to this day, it would be a great fortune.
Here, we might as well be stupid and do some conversion: During the Qianlong period, one tael of silver could roughly buy one stone of rice (about 150 catties), and 1,000 taels of silver could buy back 150,000 catties of rice. Calculated based on the current market price of 2 yuan per catty of rice.
, equivalent to 300,000 yuan.
The price of 300,000 yuan was exchanged for several paintings and calligraphy by Zheng Banqiao. The cost was very cheap!
Zheng Banqiao is also worth it. Using his own paintings and calligraphy in exchange for a beautiful concubine is not considered a loss-making business.
This Rao family turned out to be Zheng Banqiao's loyal companion in his later years.
Let's talk about the price of the painting. Compared with the current price of "Bamboo, Stone, Orchid and Hydrangea", it is only 300,000 yuan, which is a piece of cake. The auction commission is more than that!
""Bamboo, Stone, Orchid and Flowers"! I am very interested in this painting." Wei Changqing looked at the painting with a glimmer of light in his eyes.
"I'm afraid there are many people interested in this painting." Second Uncle Wu said with a smile.
Uncle Li smiled and said: "There are indeed many people interested in this painting, but the price has not been negotiated."
Looking at Wei Changqing's performance, Han Kongque seemed to be interested in the painting, but he always felt that something was wrong.
Han Peacock looked at Wei Changqing, and Wei Changqing gave Han Peacock a very obscure expression.
Seeing this situation, Han Kongque was stunned. This painting must be a fake. I'm afraid Wei Changqing also knows this. Since he knows, Wei Changqing still expresses interest, it can only mean that the painting is fake.
There was something else he hadn't discovered yet.
Han Kongque's heart moved, he released his spiritual consciousness and sensed the painting.
Although this painting is not thick, it still has a certain thickness. However, no matter how thick this painting is, it is just a painting. Therefore, Han Kongque did not use his spiritual sense to perceive it like the Buddha statue. Now when he looks at it,
This painting, like the Buddha statue just now, contains the universe within it, so it’s no wonder Wei Changqing is interested in it.
""Picture of Bamboo, Stone, Orchid and Hydrangea"?" Han Peacock asked pretending to be confused.
Wei Changqing smiled and nodded: "No matter which painting it is, the price will not be lower, but since this one is controversial, its price will definitely depreciate significantly."
Uncle Li sighed at this time and said: "If the price hadn't been too high, this painting wouldn't still be in my hands today."