Drawing Of Marshal Pétain By An Anonymous Chinese Artist. Republic Of China.

Drawing of Pétain by an anonymous Chinese artist. Republic of China.
The drawing depicts Marshal Philippe Pétain, head of the French state during the Nazi occupation (1940–44). The Chinese text surrounding the portrait could be translated as follows:
“Portrait painted by Weng Yitai, a patient at the Chinese Leprosy Hospital in Shanghai (China Leprosy Mission Sanatorium). Respectfully donated by Mrs. Rivière Levié, wife of the director of Radio Culture Française in Shanghai, along with the entire staff. Republic of China, 31st year, July 5”—that is, July 5, 1942.
The overall meaning: in July 1942, in the midst of the occupation, the French Concession in Shanghai remained under Vichy administration. This was a gesture of allegiance by the staff of the French radio station in Shanghai toward the French head of state, but it also served as propaganda with a touching twist: the portrait was painted by a patient at the Shanghai leprosy hospital, no doubt to give this tribute a charitable or “philanthropic” slant—a gesture intended to demonstrate the French community’s solidarity with local charitable causes while honoring Pétain. The Chinese painter appears to be unknown; however, he stamped his work with his seal, and the presence of this seal is intriguing for a completely unknown painter. Before the 1990s, this drawing was in the collection of Mr. Rivière, a figure mentioned in the Chinese text accompanying the drawing; this collection also included seven watercolors by Linfengmian as well as other important European drawings. But it became clear to us that there is no connection between the prestigious Linfengmian and our old leper painter.
This drawing is an exceptional historical document that represents an entire era and serves as a bridge between two worlds.
Framed with silk. Good condition, no restoration. Dimensions of the drawing alone: 38x27cm