Two Cocks in Spring Rain

Artist Bio
A native of Panyu in Guangdong province, Gao Qifeng, original name Weng, was the younger brother of Gao Jianfu, with whom he learned painting in his early years before also going to Japan, in 1907, to study under Tanaka Raisho. He is also acclaimed as one of the “Three Masters of the Lingnan School “.
Description
This painting is one of the finest examples of Gao Qifeng’s work. A couple of chickens are depicted sheltering peacefully under a birch-leaf pear tree. Falling petals and a colour-washed background, together with the two resting chickens, create a romantic, poetic and dream-like visual impact. Exquisitely executed, the chickens and the birch-leaf pear are vivid and solid, yet the artist is able to capture a transient moment of nature. Gao successfully combined the poetic element of Chinese painting, Japanese plein-air painting and Western techniques to develop a unique personal style.
—Collection of Hong Kong Museum of Art
More information
Hong Kong Museum of Art