Orchids and Rocks

Orchids and Rocks was painted by Gao Jianfu (1879-1951) for his longtime friend and fellow revolutionary Zeng Xing (1882-1954). They first met in 1906 in Tokyo, where they joined Dr. Sun Yatsen's anti-Manchu, Chinese Revolutionary Alliance Tongmenghui alongside Wang Jingwei (1883-1944), his future wife Chen Bijun (1891-1959), and Zeng's sister-in-law Fang Junying (1884-1923). While Gao pursued his painting career, Zeng Xing joined in the unsuccessful plot, led by Wang Jingwei, to assassinate the Prince Regent Zaifeng in 1910. After the Revolution, in 1912, Zeng travelled to France with Wang Jingwei and Chen Bijun (who named their first daughter Wang Wenxing in honor of their friendship with Zeng Xing). They were joined by Zeng's brother Zeng Zhongming (1896-1939), his future wife Fang Junbi (1898-1986) and Cai Yuanpei (1869-1940). Nine years later, after the First National Congress of the Guomindang, Zeng Xing was appointed the Minister for Women and persuaded the new Minister of Education Cai Yuanpei to appoint Gao Jianfu to organize the government's first National Art Exhibition, held in 1929. Zeng Xing acquired several works by the artist during her lifetime. The present work, dated 1935, may be associated with the third and final stage of Gao Jianfu's career: tranquil and reflective subject matter and brushwork inspired by ancient influences.