Bidspirit auction | GU JIANLONG, attributed

GU JIANLONG, attributed - GU JIANLONG, attributed (1606-1687) Court scene Ink and colors on silk, 156.5 x 505 cm Signed in the lower left corner. Provenance: private Italian collection. The monumental painting consists of twelve separate panels, each with a metal frame on the upper and lower sides, and protective glass. It describes a scene set in the courtyard of an aristocratic palace, crowded with numerous characters, including ladies, aristocrats, military men and deities. Among the pavilions, the one in the centre of the composition stands out due to the presence of the emperor and the empress. Born in present-day Jiangsu province, Gu Jianlong painted in the style of Qui Ying (c. 1495–1552), creating works with figures and historical themes. Known for his skill in copying old masters, he served as a court painter for the Kangxi Emperor.