In its first New York flagship-gallery sale since announcing a ten-country global expansion strategy, Gianguan Auctions New York will offer a strong showing of historical, modern and contemporary Chinese scroll paintings by blue-chip artists on Sunday, June 8. The auction will be conducted at the original Gianguan auction gallery at 295 Madison Avenue.

The morning season of paintings is well-rounded with figurative works by known Chinese modern artists, traditional landscapes and Chinese ink.

Leading the  figurative paintings is Lot 32, “Galloping Horses” by Xu Beihong (1895 - 1953). The monochromatic ink-on-paper scroll dated 1951 is among the final works of the artist who was one of the first to articulate an artistic expression that reflected a modern China. Well traveled and extremely proficient in calligraphy, Chinese painting and Western oil techniques, Xu Beihong’s works have become increasingly desirable in recent years. This painting of two horses in full gallop is signed Beihong and carries three artist seals. It bears the provenance of a Toronto collector and carries a pre-sale catalog estimate of $300,000 to $400,000,

Another highly collectable artist, Qi Baishi (1864 - 1957), whose works consistently break auction records, is represented by Lot 9, “Bodhi Under Linden Tree”. The ink-and-color on paper depicts the enlightened one wrapped in a cloak of blue, eyes closed and head resting on chest in a serene sleep. Set against a tree rendered in bold monochromatic strokes, the painting carries an inscription signed Qi Hurang, the artist’s original name, as well as two artist seals. “Bodhi Under Linden Tree” is expected to fetch between $100,000 and $150,000.

Another Qi Baishi work, “Leaves and Insects,” in the minimalist manner that came to be the artist’s signature-style, is positioned at Lot 26. Flourishes of brown, coral and red depict a tree in autumn, its sparse foliage attracting interest from a dragon-fly and preying mantis. The ink-and-color on paper, signed Qi Baishi with one artist seal, is aptly valued at $60,000 - $80,000.

Also among the figurative scroll paintings from the pantheon of modern Chinese painters is Lot 49, Zhang Daqain’s (1899-1983) portrayal of “Sun Wei Resting Under Tree.” It is stellar in its use of color, swathing a black-haired and mustached Sun Wei in a turquoise robe that falls onto a a throw of blue. Red slippers carefully placed nearby complete the vignette that is set against a singular weathered tree-trunk canopied with blue-green leaves. Powerful in its simplicity, the ink-and-color on paper is dated 1925, signed Daqain, Yuan. It carries three artist seals. The  catalog estimate of $60,000-$80,000.

Lot 38 is a Thirteenth Century Yuan Dynasty ink-and-color on paper by Zhao Mengfou of “Jiao Yuan and Stallions”. It is the day’s most highly-valued lot. With the provenance of New York’s noted Sai Yan Tang Collection, the delicately drawn painting  in neutral colors with pink is signed Zhang and carries six collectors seals. It is expected to fetch as much as $8,000,000.

There are more than 30 paintings in the sale. For full details, please visit the online catalog at www.gianguanauctions.com The preview begins May 31 and runs through June 7 at the Gianguan Auctions New York gallery, 295 Madison Avenue. You can view the more than 300 properties on-line now at www.gianguanauctions.com. To follow-up with condition reports and detailed information, please contact the Gallery Director at 212-867-7288 or email info@gianguanauctions.com

 The June 8th opening hammer falls at 9:30 a.m.  Buyers may also bid via the Gianguan Auctions website now.