WU LIFU (1900-1992)

AUTUMNAL WATERFALL

A Chinese scroll painting, ink and colour on paper, inscribed and dated October renwu year (1942), two artist's seals, colophon by Lin Sen (1868-1943), signed and with one seal, the other inscription by Luo Zhuoying (1896-1961), signed and dated, 111cm x 65cm, 132cm including the colophon.

Provenance: Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, KStJ, PC, 1883-1950, and thence by descent.

The inscription says the painting was given to General Sir Archibald P Wavell by Luo Zhouying (1896-1961), on the 25th December 1942 in Chongqing. Luo Zhouying was a Republic of China General, and was active during the Second Sino-Japanese War and was later the Governor of Guangdong Province.

Lin Sen (1868-1943), was active during the First Sino-Japanese War. Lin was an overseas organiser for the Kuomintang (KMT) and worked closely with Sun Yat-sen, the first leader of the KMT. from 1931, Lin served as the President of the Legislative Yuan and later as the Chairman of the National Government of the Republic of China.

Luo Zhuoying (1896-1961), was a Republic of China General in the National Revolutionary Army. Luo served during the Second Sino-Japanese War and was later the Chairman of the Government of Guangdong Province. While Luo was a prominent military and political leader, he was also renowned for his talent in poetry and literature. After the Chinese victories, he published his poems inspired by the battles of the Second Sino-Japanese War.