Floral Ink and Color Paintings and Liao Dynasty Buddhist Triad Panel Highlight Bonhams’ Chinese Art Sale

Painter, novelist, and educator Liu Yong is known for his distinct style of combining ancient Chinese techniques with his characteristic expression of pointillism. Graceful Lotus, Fragrant Poetry (2014), a framed and glazed ink and color painting on paper by Liu Yong, is a key highlight of this upcoming Bonhams auction. In this painting, the artist embodies poetry using delicate “boneless” brushstrokes to depict flowers. Another featured Chinese artist, Guan Shanyue, portrays natural scenery in his ink and color Plum Blossoms (1987). This sensitive representation was most likely a result of Guan’s extensive travels across China to observe people and nature.

A 10th or 11th-century white marble panel of the Buddhist Triad belonging to the Liao dynasty also leads the listings. It depicts the Buddha Amitabha carved in high relief. Wearing a loose robe, he is seated in padmasana (lotus posture) with his left hand on his lap and right hand raised. With a tranquil and generous expression on his face, he is flanked by two bodhisattvas standing on lotus plinths. The Buddha and bodhisattvas have a leaf-shaped flaming mandorla behind their heads and a pair of apsaras (female spirits in Buddhist mythology) riding on clouds above. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bonhams.