THREE PORCELAIN PLATES WITH THE THREE FRIENDS OF THE WINTER.
China. Early 20th c. Liu Yucen (1904-1969); one of the Eight Friends of Zhushan.

Porcelain; painted in qianjiang cai. The plates represent a group of scenes; each one with a scholar in a long robe; with his servant standing beneath one of the three plants 'pine; bamboo and plum'. Every servant carries an object of the group of the Four Arts (qin; play of go; calligraphy and painting). With frame 80 x 24cm. Seals: a) Left below: Yin Bing Zhai; right below: Hui Mei Ge. b) Bottom right: Xieyang An Shu lin. c) Bottom right: Zhoulang Yixing. Condition A. Supplement: Wooden frame with suspension.

The three plants symbolize perseverance; endurance and elasticity. They are highly esteemed in Confucianism and represent the ideal image of a decent scholar.

Liu Yucen proves by the skilful design of the figures and the harmonic composition his outstanding painterly skill. In particular; the large-areas of blank background are characteristic of the literate style.Art trade; Van Ham.