China, first half of the 20th century. Ink and watercolor on segmented paper. The upper fan-shaped painting shows calligraphy. The lower painting depicts branches of a plum tree covered in red blossoms, bamboo leaves on the left. Calligraphy and seal mark on the left side. Laid down on paper with protective cover.

Inscriptions: Upper image: The text describes a scene in autumn, gifted to Mr. Youting. Lower image (translated): 'To Mr. Youting'. Signed 'Wang Yaoqing'. One seal: 'Yaoqing'.

Provenance: From the collection of Professor Jan Wirgin (1932-2020). Jan Wirgin studied Classic Chinese and History of Art at Stockholm University. Later, he joined the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities in Stockholm, first as a curator and then between 1981-1998 as the director of the museum. Further, he published numerous articles during his work as the editor of the Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. One of his most famous works is the book "Chinese Art history" (1972), which is still one of the most read books for students of Chinese art history in Sweden.
Condition: Good condition. The upper painting with some minor material loss at the margin, a few tears, and abrasions, especially along the folds, touch-ups. The lower painting with some abrasions along the folds, minor material loss, and a tear on the right side.

Dimensions: Upper image size 46 x 20, lower image size 46 x 20.3 cm, paper cover 63.5 x 65 cm

Wang Yaoqing (1881-1954) was one of the most famous actors of the Peking Opera in the early 20th century. He was known for playing various female roles in the Peking Opera. In the early 1930s, Wang Yaoqing taught at the Chinese Opera Specialized School. Later, he became the principal of the Chinese Opera School and trained many talented actors, for example, Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Xun Huisheng, and Shang Xiaoyun. He is also a renowned Chinese painter, known for his paintings of plums, chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, turtles, and shrimps.

Auction result comparison: Compare a similar painting, depicting a tree branch with blossoms, also from Wang Yaoqing, with the title 'Ink Prunus (墨梅),' at Xiling Yinshe Auction in Chinese Painting and Calligraphy on 25 June 2016, lot 992, sold for RMB 140,000 (ca. EUR 19,400).

王瑤卿 (1881-1954) 《秋山色》與《梅竹圖》
中國，二十世紀上半葉。紙本設色。分別爲《秋山色》七言小律與《梅竹圖》。

款識: 七言小律一面為“佑廷先生正”；《梅竹圖》一面為“佑廷先生正之”及“王瑤卿”；朱印“瑤卿”。

王瑤卿，清末民國京劇旦角演員、戲曲教育家。

來源：Jan Wirgin (1932-2020) 教授收藏。Jan Wirgin先生曾在斯德哥爾摩大學學習古典漢語和藝術史。之後，他進入斯德哥爾摩東方博物館，先是擔任策展人，然後在 1981 年至 1998 年間擔任博物館館長。此外，他在擔任東方博物館公報的編輯期間，發表了大量文章。其中，最著名的是《中國藝術史》（1972）一書，至今仍是瑞典中國藝術史學生最重要的書籍之一。
品相：書法面邊緣處有一些輕微缺損和撕裂，有水跡和修補。繪畫面有些磨損，材料輕微缺損，右側有撕裂。

尺寸：分別爲46 x 20 厘米 與 46 x 20.3 厘米，總 63.5 x 65 厘米

紙本裝裱，有保護層。

拍賣結果：比較一張王瑤卿的《墨梅》，見西泠印社 Chinese Painting and Calligraphy 2016年6月25日 lot 992, 售價RMB 140,000。