PLUM BLOSSOMS ON A BRANCH BY WEN BIAN - 文汴《墨梅圖》，李方膺款China, first half of the 20th century. Ink on segmented paper. The fan-shaped painting depicts a branch of a plum tree sparsely covered in blossom. Calligraphy and seal mark on the left.Inscriptions: Text (translated): 'Wen Bian imitated Qingjiang's (pseudonym for Li Fangying, 1695-1755) ink plum and gifted it to his friend'. One seal.The paintings by Li Fangying are highly sought after. For an ink plum painting by the master artist see Poly International Auction Co., Ltd in More Sublime When Looking Up: Chinese Classical Painting & Calligraphy, Evening Sale on 18 October 2020, lot 4004, sold for RMB 1,500,000. Also, another ink plum painting from Li Fangying see The Palace Museum in Beijing.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 painting with some abrasions along the folds, minor material loss and touch-ups.Dimensions: Image size 48 x 20.2 cm, paper cover 63.5 x 65 cmLaid down on paper with protective cover.