Ink and watercolors on paper. Depicting a cat perched on a rocky outpost trying to catch a butterfly with its right forepaw, blades of grass in the background.

Inscriptions: Signed Beihong. Dated renwu year (corresponding to 1942). Inscribed for Mr. Yukui and Ms. Qianru. One seal, Donghai wangsun (by Xu Beihong). One collector’s seal to lower right, Bojiao suo cang (Collection of Bojiao).
Superscriptions: Poetry hall signed Guan Zhenmin and inscribed Lingmao xidie (cat playing with butterflies), dated to the spring of the year of Bingxu (corresponding to 1947). Two seals, Zhenmin zhi bo and Lütian luzhu.

Provenance: From a reputed private collection of paintings. Paper label with inventory number ‘25’ to the back.
Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear, little soiling and creasing, some foxing.

Dimensions: Size 98.4 x 40.8 cm (the painting) and 29.6 x 40.8 cm (the poetry hall)

Xu Beihong (1895-1953) was a Chinese painter, born in rural Yixing during the late Qing dynasty. He began studying classic Chinese works and calligraphy at the age of six, with his father Xu Dazhang, a private school teacher, and Chinese painting at the age of nine. Beihong started from very humble beginnings and in the end became a well-known figure in the world due to his contributions in the art industry. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xu became president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and chairman of the China Artists Association.

Xu Beihong was a master of both oils and Chinese ink. Most of his works, however, were in the Chinese traditional style. In his efforts to create a new form of national art, he combined Chinese brush and ink techniques with Western perspective and methods of composition. He integrated firm and bold brush strokes with the precise delineation of form. As an art teacher, he advocated the subordination of technique to artistic conception and emphasizes the importance of the artist's experiences in life. Of all the painters of the modern era, it can be safely said that Xu is the one painter most responsible for the direction taken in the modern Chinese Art World.

Auction result comparison: Compare with a closely related work by the same artist at China Guardian on 18 December 2017, lot 65, sold for EUR 64,045 (CNY 500,000), and another at Christie’s Hong Kong in Fine Modern Chinese Paintings on 28 May 2007, lot 1107, sold for HKD 504,000.

徐悲鴻(1895-1953)《靈貓戯蝶》
紙本設色。一隻貓於山石之上戲蝶的情景，將貓的頑皮活潑和機警的表情表達得淋漓盡致。

款識：玉魁先生，倩如女士共賞，悲鴻壬午。
鈐印：東海王孫
詩堂：靈貓戲蝶。丙戌小春月，玉魁先生雅屬並正，管震民時年六十又七同客檳榔嶼。鈐印：震民之缽，綠天廬主

來源：知名繪畫私人收藏，背面藏品標簽上可見 ‘25’ 。
品相：狀況極佳，磨損少，些微和起皺。

尺寸：畫98.4 x 40.8 厘米；詩堂29.6 x 40.8 厘米

拍賣結果比較：同一位藝術家相似作品，售于中國嘉德2017年12月18日, lot 65, 售價EUR 64,045 (CNY 500,000)；另一件相似作品，售于香港佳士得Fine Modern Chinese Paintings 拍場2007年5月28日，lot 1107, 售價HKD 504,000.