Satirical And Traditional Characters Chinese Painting Late 19th / Early 20th Century

Intriguing Chinese ink and watercolour painting on paper with white silk braid at the top and bottom, set in an antique wooden frame, depicting a bearded figure holding a second figure with wrinkled, greenish skin on his shoulders. The work combines humour, deliberate disproportion and codes from Chinese folk art. There are two possible interpretations:

1/ perhaps Zhong Kui, the famous demon hunter, carrying a green creature on his shoulders. The demon, miniaturised and docile here, contrasts with classical representations of Zhong Kui brandishing a sword: this version belongs more to a theatrical or decorative tradition, in which the mythical exorcist is treated lightly, sometimes mockingly, but always in a protective spirit.

2/ The comic aspect of the scene, in particular the laughing expression of the wearer and the familiar posture of the wearer, as well as their outfits, could also evoke a duo from popular imagery: vagabonds, bandits or street theatre characters. The green skin would then be a stylistic effect.

^{Symbolism of Zhong Kui: A mythical figure in Taoist tradition, Zhong Kui is known as the ‘king of demons’, responsible for capturing and exorcising evil spirits. Often depicted in homes and temples, his image is believed to ward off illness, nightmares and misfortune. He is often depicted surrounded or followed by small demons that he has subdued. His depiction in comic, sometimes burlesque, scenes was common in popular imagery at the end of the Qing and beginning of the Republic.}

Condition: Old paper, slightly oxidised in places. Some visible but stable foxing. Fresh colours. Vintage frame with some age marks. No missing parts.
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Signature: Vertical calligraphy accompanied by a red seal in the lower right-hand corner.
Possible interpretation: ‘Painted with the pictorial intention of Shi Bu Guai’. This name could be a pseudonym or a stylistic formula, as no school or artist bearing this name has been found to date.

Period: Late 19th - early 20th century (folk school, probably late Qing Dynasty or Republic of China).

Dimensions of the painting. Viewed: width 16 cm - Height 34.5 cm.
Frame dimensions: width 19.5 cm - Height 37.5 cm.

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