XU BEIHONG (1895-1953)

The recipient of the painting, Jiaxun, refers to Zhuang Jiaxun (1908-1999), originally from Hui’an, Fujian Province. Zhuang worked as a clerk at the Penang Southern Hotel run by his in-law Loh Cheng Chuan (1907-1966). In 1941, Xu Beihong left India and stopped by several cities such as Penang, Ipoh, and Kuala Lumpur on his way back. He held exhibitions en route and donated proceeds to support China against Japan’s invasion. In July 1941, when Xu Beihong stayed in Penang, Zhuang cared for him, and they became close friends. Xu gifted many paintings to Zhuang; the present work was painted then. The horse is saturated with ink; it seems to be neighing in the wind, ready to emerge from the painting. There are other works by Xu Beihong dedicated to Jiaxun in Lim Yee Hoh’s collection; Lim probably acquired the work directly from Zhuang’s family.