‘ZHUAN ZHU ASSASSINATES KING LIAO’, BY GUAN LIANG (1900-1986), DATED 1980China. Ink and watercolors on paper, with a silk brocade frame and mounted as a hanging scroll. Depicting the theatric scene of the assassin Zhuan Zhu offering a fish to King Liao of Wu, who is standing in the back dressed in a yellow robe and wearing the Lingzi, a headdress with pheasant tails. The dagger with which Zhuan eventually killed the king is hidden inside the fish.Inscriptions: Bottom left, inscribed ‘Zhuan Zhu stabs King Liao of Wu’, dated ‘in October of the Year of Gengshen’ (corresponding to 1980), signed ‘Guan Liang’. One seal ‘Guan Liang’. Top right, one seal of the artist, ‘Nanting’. Provenance: From a private collection, acquired shortly after 1980, and thence by descent. British trade, by repute acquired from the above. Condition: Excellent condition with only minor wear, little foxing, and few small stains.Dimensions: Image size 107 x 55.3 cm, Size incl. mounting 124 x 65.7 cmGuan Liang (1900-1986) was a Chinese painter born in Guandong Province. He studied art in Japan and specialized in Chinese oil painting. Guan was a fine arts educator, professor at the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in Zhejiang, China, and the director of the Shanghai branch of the Chinese Artists Association. Guan once mentioned that Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Matisse had left a deep impression and a lasting influence on him, and that in his work he sought to merge Western techniques with Chinese themes.Guan Liang developed a passion for Chinese opera from a young age, having grown up attending performances with his father. He was captivated by performing arts and became deeply involved in Beijing opera by acting and learning the art of theater from an opera singer, as well as acquiring costumes and props. In his opera ink paintings, Guan captures the spirit of each character by depicting their facial expressions and the emotions in their eyes.The painting depicts the theater scene where Zhuan Zhu kills King Liao of Wu. Zhuan Zhu was an assassin who lived in the Spring and Autumn period. He was recruited by Prince Guang, who wanted to kill the king in order to take the throne himself. Zhuan Zhu finally managed to kill the king during a party with a dagger hidden in a fish.Auction result comparison:Type: RelatedAuction: China Guardian, Hong Kong, 9 October 2022, lot 73Price: HKD 86,400 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted at the time of writingDescription: Zhuan Zhu Assassinates King Liao, Guan Liang (1900-1986)Expert remark: Compare the closely related motif. Note the significantly smaller size (32.8 x 43.5 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2012, lot 2911 Price: HKD 250,000 or approx. EUR 39,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: Guan Liang, Opera Figures - Farewell My ConcubineExpert remark: Compare the related motif. Note the smaller size (67.5 x 44 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 November 2013, lot 1431Price: HKD 1,000,000 or approx. EUR 151,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: Opera Figures Expert remark: Note the related size (101 x 59.3 cm).Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 November 2013, lot 1428Price: HKD 275,000 or approx. EUR 44,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: Opera Figures Expert remark: Note the considerably smaller size (33.5 x 34.5 cm).1980年關良《專諸刺王僚》中國 ，紙本水墨設色，掛軸。描繪刺客專諸獻魚給吳王僚的戲劇場景，王僚站在後面，身穿黃袍，頭戴京劇中的雉尾帽。專諸最終殺死國王的匕首就藏在魚裡面。 款識：專諸刺王僚，庚申冬十月，關良；鈴印：關良，南亭 來源：私人收藏，1980年後購，保存至今；英國古玩交易，據説購於上述收藏。 品相：狀況極佳，只有輕微磨損、輕微起皺和少量小污漬。 尺寸：畫面107 x 55.3 厘米，總124 x 65.7 厘米 拍賣結果比較： 形制：相近 拍賣：香港嘉德，2022年10月9日，lot 73 價格：HKD 86,400（相當於今日EUR 10,500） 描述：關良《專諸刺王僚》 專家評論：比較非常相近的主題。請注意尺寸(32.8 x 43.5 厘米)小很多。 拍賣結果比較： 形制：相近 拍賣：香港佳士得，2012年5月29日，lot 2911 價格：HKD 250,000（相當於今日EUR 39,500） 描述：關良《霸王別姬》 專家評論：比較相近的主題。請注意尺寸(67.5 x 44 厘米)較小。 拍賣結果比較： 形制：相近 拍賣：香港佳士得，2013年11月26日，lot 1431 價格：HKD 1,000,000（相當於今日EUR 151,000） 描述：關良《京劇》 專家評論：請注意相近尺寸(101 x 59.3 厘米)。 拍賣結果比較： 形制：相近 拍賣：香港佳士得，2013年11月26日，lot 1428 價格：HKD 275,000（相當於今日EUR 44,000） 描述：關良《楊門女將比武一段》 專家評論：請注意尺寸(33.5 x 34.5 厘米)小很多。