World · India Bureau
Ming prince-turned-monk's bird and flower paintings sell for Rs 75 crore
A rare twelve-leaf artistic series by Bada Shanren, a 17th-century Ming royal who later became a Buddhist monk and celebrated painter, has sold at Christie's Hong Kong for HK$61.9 million. The work exemplifies the artist's distinctive minimalist style that emerged from his unconventional life journey.
LSN India ·
Bada Shanren, born Zhu Da in 1626, inherited royal lineage from the Ming dynasty but saw his family's fortunes collapse following the dynasty's fall in 1644. Seeking refuge from political upheaval, he entered a Buddhist monastery where he spent several years in spiritual contemplation before eventually returning to secular life.
The artist went on to establish himself as one of China's most influential painters, developing a signature aesthetic marked by bold simplicity and minimalist compositions. His works, rendered in ink on paper, departed significantly from the ornate traditions of his era, earning him recognition as an innovator who bridged spiritual philosophy and artistic expression.
His masterwork, 'Flowers and Birds,' comprises twelve individual leaves that showcase his mastery of the medium. The series captures various botanical and avian subjects with economical brushstrokes and evocative empty space, hallmarks of Shanren's mature artistic vision.
The painting sequence attracted significant collector interest at Christie's Hong Kong auction, where it realized HK$61.9 million, equivalent to approximately Rs 75 crore. The sale underscores continued global demand for classical Chinese artwork, particularly pieces by artists who synthesized profound philosophical and spiritual influences into their creative practice.