Brush for Zhang Daqian

20th century

This paintbrush was custom made for the artist Zhang Daqian and bears an inscription with his name on its shaft. The bristles are still filled with dried Chinese ink. Zhang Daqian is one of the most famous and prolific artists of the twentieth century, known for his splashed-ink landscapes. He combined traditional Chinese brushwork with influences from American Abstract Expressionism, after he left China in 1949. In addition to painting his own works, he is well known as one of the greatest forgers of Chinese painting, re-creating works of the ancient masters.