Chen Qian and others obviously discovered the anomaly where the seal was left, but they did not dare to touch the painting. In fact, if you think about it, you will know that no matter what is hidden underneath, it should be less famous than Ren Bonian. If the original
Bell seals can increase the value of these paintings. Why did the owner of the paintings spend so much time hiding the bell seals underneath?
With this idea in mind, even though Chen Qian knew there was something fishy here, he just didn't dare to reveal it.
But Han Kongque was different. He saw that these pictures of ladies were extraordinary, and he thought that Ren Bonian could not draw such pictures of ladies, so he was determined to uncover them. Unexpectedly, what was hidden underneath was Zhang Daqian's.
Bell seal.
At this time, with Han Kongque's erudition and strong memory, he had already guessed the whole story.
After Zhang Daqian married Yang Wanjun in 1935, Zhang Daqian painted many pictures of ladies with her as a model.
In 1952, Yang Wanjun, the ex-wife of the master of traditional Chinese painting Zhang Daqian, dedicated all 260 Tang Dynasty murals copied by Zhang Daqian at the Dunhuang Grottoes to the country. She only kept 14 paintings that Zhang had painted for her.
When raiders visited Yang's house, these fourteen paintings were confiscated and their whereabouts have since been lost.
The reason why Zhang Daqian's bell seals are hidden is either because the owners of these paintings are afraid of being discovered that they are Zhang Daqian's paintings, or because they want to use Ren Bonian's name to seek greater benefits.
Don't think this is ridiculous. In the 1960s and 1970s, Zhang Daqian's paintings were not very valuable. In the 1970s and 1980s, the price of Qi Baishi's and Zhang Daqian's paintings in Rongbaozhai, the capital, was only 20 yuan per square foot.
More than 100 yuan per piece.
As one of the famous painters in the late Qing Dynasty, Ren Bonian was much more famous than Zhang Daqian at that time, and he was even more famous than Zhang Daqian. Therefore, people at that time disguised Zhang Daqian's works as Ren Bonian's works.
Selling for profit is also very possible.
Looking at these paintings, Han Peacock could only shake his head. The world has changed. Who would have thought that things that cost one hundred yuan a piece back then could now be sold for hundreds of millions.
Zhang Daqian's paintings were initially popular in overseas markets. He was known as the "Emperor of Painting". It was not until the early 1980s that his works began to appear frequently in overseas auctions. At the same time, the market record of his works was also
Continuously refresh.
It was not until 1987 that his paintings began to gain popularity overseas. In that year, his "Taoyuan Tu" was sold at a Sotheby's auction for HK$1.87 million.
In 1989, his "Pine Gorge and Flying Spring" was sold at Sotheby's auction for HK$2.87 million.
In 1991, his "Lingyan Mountain Color" was sold at Christie's auction for HK$4.29 million.
In 1992, his four-screen "Qingcheng Mountain" was sold at Sotheby's auction for HK$7.48 million.
In 1994, his "Valley" was sold at Sotheby's auction for HK$8.16 million.
In 1999, four screens of his "Lotus" were sold by Christie's for HK$8.29 million.
Zhang Daqian's masterpiece "One Flower, One World" has achieved unprecedented high prices of more than NT$50 million and NT$60 million in two charity sales in Taiwan.
Another record-breaking news came from the 2002 Sotheby's Autumn Auction. Zhang Daqian's "Colorful Vermillion and Lotus Screen" was originally estimated to be worth more than 15 million Hong Kong dollars. After a round of fierce bidding, it was finally sold for 20.22 million Hong Kong dollars, breaking the modern Chinese painting record.
World record for the highest price paid for a calligraphy and painting.
It can also be seen from these transaction records that the value of Zhang Daqian's works has increased rapidly and violently.
In recent years, the highest transaction prices of Zhang Daqian's works in the mainland market have been lower than those of famous artists such as Qi Baishi and Fu Baoshi. Collectors who own large-scale masterpieces and masterpieces are generally unwilling to sell them easily, making it difficult for auction houses to find Zhang Daqian's masterpieces or large-scale masterpieces.
Zhang Daqian left the mainland in the mid-20th century. The number of works left in the mainland is relatively small, and large-scale fine works are even rarer. This is one of the reasons why the market price of Zhang Daqian's works is not as good as that of Baishi.
But overseas, Zhang Daqian's dominance has never wavered.
Zhang Daqian is best at landscape painting and figure painting. He has extremely high artistic attainments and can be said to be unparalleled in the history of modern Chinese art.
Especially the portraits of ladies in figure paintings, the painting skills are even more exquisite. Zhang Daqian's figure paintings have two changes: before the age of 30, he studied the tradition of figure painting in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and his style is euphemistic and handsome.
In 1941, he went to Dunhuang and copied the murals of Sui and Tang Dynasties figures. His style changed drastically. The figures painted were majestic and colorful, fully reflecting the legacy of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Judging from the transactions in recent decades, Zhang Daqian's landscape paintings are more frequently traded, while most of his figure paintings have been collected in major museums and are extremely rare to appear on the market.
The fourteen paintings in Han Kongque's hands are even more representative works of his figure paintings. They were made just before and after Zhang Daqian went to Dunhuang to copy the figure murals of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. From these paintings of ladies painted by Yang Wanjun as models, we can see that
The change in his painting style.
Yang Wanjun was born in Beiping in 1917. Her father was an artist who played Yueqin. She was smart and beautiful. At the age of 13, she took the stage to sing Beijing-style drums. Her voice was loud and clear and her appearance was outstanding. She was a famous folk performer in the south of Beiping City.
When Zhang Daqian was visiting the amusement park in the south of the city, Wanjun was singing "Daiyu Buried Flowers" on stage. He was so shocked that Yang Wanjun became Zhang Daqian's third wife.
It is said that there is another reason why Zhang Daqian fell in love with Yang Wanjun. Zhang Daqian used to paint beautiful ladies, but his hands were always bad at painting, and he felt that he was unable to do so.
Yang Wanjun was born with a pair of snow-white and delicate jade hands. Later, Zhang Daqian used his hands as the object of painting, making his paintings of beautiful ladies more realistic.
After marriage, Yang Wanjun stopped his stage career and accompanied Zhang Daqian to travel to famous mountains and rivers.
After marrying Yang Wanjun, Zhang Daqian liked to take her with him wherever he traveled. It was during this period that Zhang Daqian painted many pictures of ladies with Yang Wanjun as his model.
These paintings were probably painted during this period, so the style of painting changed drastically.
Nowadays, no matter who mentions Zhang Daqian, they always mention his figure paintings. However, although Zhang Daqian has many paintings, his figure paintings are almost invisible in the market.
From here, it can also be seen that his pictures of ladies were not widely circulated. Even the fourteen pictures in Han Kongque's hands could not have been circulated originally. It was just a mistake that made them appear in Han Kongque.
in hand.
Han Kongque was both surprised and worried that he was able to receive these fourteen paintings. These fourteen paintings were indeed as evil as he thought!
Except for Fat Liu, Han Xing, and Zhang Xiangyue, all of them were considered experts. After seeing fourteen pictures of ladies with similar looks, Liu Shaoshan knew the origin of these paintings, and Zhang Shuping certainly knew it too.
It can be said that these fourteen pictures of ladies should be regarded as Yang Wanjun. Although Zhang Daqian has children, this Yang Wanjun seems to have no children. In this way, after Yang Wanjun died, there would be no heirs for the paintings she left behind.
If this is the case, these paintings are not that troublesome. Besides, it was an accident that Han Kongque got these paintings, and he bought them with real money. Even if Yang Wanjun had an heir, it would not be so easy to get the paintings away from him.
of.
After all, these paintings have disappeared for thirty or forty years, and who knows how many masters have passed through them. Now if Yang Wanjun's heir really comes to visit, Han Kongque doesn't seem to be afraid, but this is still a trouble.
In the early 1980s, all parts of the country were working to solve the problem of cultural relics confiscated during "turbulence". At that time, the official purpose was very clear, which was to "return the objects to their original owners."
For example, the relevant policy issued by the Capital City Government in 1984 clearly stipulates: "Property confiscated or surrendered during the 'turmoil', if the original property is still there, except for prohibited items currently stipulated by the state, will be returned to the person who was confiscated or surrendered."
"Helping people".
"Anything whose owner is clear will be withdrawn as soon as it is cleared."
"Cultural relics, calligraphy and paintings, rare books, jewelry and diamonds purchased by any unit or individual from non-commercial units must be returned unconditionally; high-end furniture, high-end musical instruments, valuable daily necessities, etc., if the person whose whereabouts are known and requests to return them, shall also be returned.
Must exit and return to the original owner"...
Although the regulations are so stipulated, it is very difficult to sit up. For example, the manuscript of "The Development of Japanese Novels in the Past Thirty Years" written by Zhou Zuoren and edited by Lu Xun appeared in the preview of Guardian Spring Auction.
Zhou Jiyi, the grandson of Zhou Zuoren, stood up and told the media, "This manuscript belongs to Mr. Zhou Zuoren. The manuscript was confiscated during the 'riot' and has not been returned." He also requested the relevant parties to stop the auction and return the manuscript.
Coincidentally, almost at the same time that Zhou Jiyi sued the Guardian Company, the descendants of Fu Zengxiang, the former director of education in the Republic of China and the librarian of the Palace Museum, also filed a lawsuit against the Capital City Cultural Relics Bureau.
After Fu Zengxiang's death, he left behind more than 20,000 pieces of ancient jade, books and other cultural relics.
In August 2010, Fu Zengxiang's children wrote to the Capital Cultural Relics Bureau, requesting that the list of properties seized and returned during the "turmoil" be made public. When they were refused, they took the Capital Cultural Relics Bureau to court.
The cultural relics, manuscripts, etc. that were confiscated during the "turmoil" were not completely returned to the parties involved. This is certainly not an isolated case, and cases resulting from this are not uncommon.
Behind these disputes and cases is a historical issue that has not yet been properly resolved. Since the country can play gangsters, he can naturally keep the things he bought with real money and silver as his own. However, in his conscience
Yes, it just doesn’t make sense.
"Xiao Han, what do you plan to do with these fourteen pictures?" Liu Shaoshan said.
Han Kongque said: "Han Xing, did you record the entire unveiling process just now?"
Han Xing said: "It's recorded."
Liu Shaoshan said at this time: "We also have cameras here, and the process just now was recorded."
"This is a piece of evidence. What I bought was a painting by Ren Bonian. Who would have thought that it would now belong to Zhang Daqian. Yang Wanjun seems to have no descendants, so I am not afraid of her descendants coming to trouble, but I have to beware of Zhang Daqian.
The descendants of the family came to ask for it. With this evidence, it will be easier to speak in the future." Han Kongque said.
Others may have no evidence to prove that their things were confiscated in that era, but these fourteen paintings are so famous that even if Han Peacock wanted to deny them, there was nothing he could do, so Han Peacock could only cope with the changes by remaining unchanged.
Of course, if the fact that he keeps these fourteen paintings is not spread out and is just kept as a private collection, there will definitely be no trouble, but can Han Kongque do this?
However, this is not without a solution, so Han Kongque finally said: "I spent 1.4 billion to buy this. If Yang Wanjun's descendants really come to visit me, just ask them to compensate me 1.4 billion."
Anyway, he didn't sign the transfer contract. I don't know where Chen Qian is now. It's unlikely that he will come to testify. Even if he comes to testify, we don't know how many years will happen. No one can say by then.
clear.
Han Peacock now made up his mind to possess these pictures of ladies.
"We won't talk about these. Anyway, you just keep them well. Now let's talk about your other collections. I heard that you have got some good things recently. How about you give them to me to study for a few days?" Liu Shaoshan said.
Han Kongque said: "Old man, you are really well-informed. Not many people in Shanghai know this news."
"I heard that you got seventeen of them? Can you be sure where they came from?" Liu Shaoshan said.
Han Kongque said: "It should be the gilded door sea produced by the Ming Palace. It is the same as the one left by the Forbidden City. There is nothing to study, right?"
"Do you think I can study those in the Forbidden City?" Liu Shaoshan said.
"At most, it's just a gilding process. If you always want to study it, I'll ask someone to bring one to you." Han Kongque said.
"That's the best. Also, is it possible to put your genuine knife coins on display in our museum for a while? It's almost the end of the year. More and more people are coming to the museum to see the exhibition. We always have to add some new content.
Otherwise, no one would go to see it." Liu Shaoshan said.
"Although there are many sword coins in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, this thing shouldn't attract many people, right?" Han Peacock was afraid of trouble. With tens of thousands of sword coins, it would be a big trouble to record them one by one.
Liu Shaoshan said: "Forget it! We also have a lot of knives and coins in our museum, but they are not as comprehensive as yours. To be more attractive, gold and silver are more attractive. Why not put your gold and silver bricks and ghosts and so on?"
How many days will we be allowed to exhibit?”
Han Peacock smiled bitterly and said: "I transferred all those things to others, and used those things in exchange for a place in a private museum."
"You're such a tiger! I really don't know if we old guys will have any use for you now that you've joined us." Liu Shaoshan smiled bitterly. He knew the public museums in China very well. They obviously occupied so many resources, but they still couldn't.
Nothing was done.
Even if they don’t do anything, they still reach out to the country every year and ask for various funds to maintain the operation of the museum. Such behavior is simply a bit ridiculous.
After chatting with Liu Shaoshan for a while, Han Kongque had no intention of staying here any longer. He waited until the pictures of ladies were a little dry and then put them all away.
Fortunately, the forger's framing skills were quite good. He hid Zhang Daqian's identification and did not make any changes to the picture of the lady, so it became much easier to unmask it.
In this way, the main body of the painting is not affected, so these paintings do not need to be re-framed, saving Han Peacock a lot of trouble.
After getting in the car, Zhang Xiangyue said: "Boss, where are we going?"
Han Kongque said: "It's getting late, let's go have dinner together! After dinner, you can have free time. Today is Saturday and tomorrow is Sunday. You can go home and rest."
"Brother, I discussed it with my parents and we can't take that money." Han Xing finally found the opportunity to speak.
Han Kongque glared and said, "You can't have it? Can I have it?"
Han Xing was embarrassed by Han Kongque, and he said: "We can't take advantage of you, brother, but I don't want brother to take advantage of me, so I will keep five million and I will put the rest on your card.
"
"You kid, if you are really serious, just give me back five million." Han Kongque shook his head and said nothing.
Han Xing didn't say anything else. He knew that this was the only way to deal with the matter.
"Xiang Yue, you should worry more about Song Min. Things there are very important." Although Han Kongque said it in a general way, Zhang Xiangyue knew that the matter was indeed very important.
Ever since Han Kongque asked Zhang Xiangyue to handle the Longyun matter, Zhang Xiangyue knew that he had really boarded Han Kongque's pirate ship.
Although he now has great power, which is beyond his ability to bear, he has no one to tell him.
The recent sum of 1.4 billion yuan has been completely controlled by him, and apart from buying a large number of high-tech experimental equipment, all this large amount of money has been used by him to recruit talents.
Almost all of those talents are military talents. If Chen Jiayi hadn't pulled the strings from them, Zhang Xiangyue might have been invited to squat in a dark room by now.
Because he has manipulated too many funds and done too many things that he should not be responsible for, Zhang Xiangyue has been very busy recently. He is so busy that as a full-time driver, he is about to be replaced by a Korean star again.
However, he was very happy to be so busy. Since leaving the army, he had not felt this way for a long time.
When he first took over the logistics of a ship, he didn't pay too much attention to it, but now, he already knew the weight of the ship, so he no longer had any arrogance.
Ever since he received this job, he has been completely tied to Han Kongque. Now, although Zhang Xiangyue's status is not obvious, the work he does is much more important than Han Xing.
The amount of money he now handles is so large that Zhang Xiangyue never dared to think about it. Therefore, even if faced with the huge good news of Han Xing suddenly getting 10 million, he hardly has any strange reaction.
Han Kongque is still very satisfied with Zhang Xiangyue. Through Chen Jiayi, Han Kongque obtained Zhang Xiangyue's complete information. He indeed retired normally and came to Han Kongque's side. It was indeed an accident, but this does not mean that no one wants him.
Use him.
After Zhang Xiangyue returned from the south, someone came into contact with him, and Zhang Xiangyue gathered to continue serving some departments. It was only after getting this information that Han Peacock decided to reuse Zhang Xiangyue. (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, and the novel will be updated.
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