Beijing, Dec 18 (AFP) A set of ink-brush paintings byChinese artist Qi Baishi has sold for USD 144 million,breaking all records for Chinese paintings, a Beijing auctionhouse said today.
The group of 12 panels painted in 1925 were sold atauction on Sunday night for 931.5 million yuan, Beijing PolyInternational Auction said in a statement.
The self-taught painter (1864-1957) became the firstChinese artist to surpass the $100 million mark for one piece,the auction house said.
The work, entitled "Twelve Landscape Screens", depictsmountains, villages and trees in bloom, with soft blue, grey,brown and pink tones.
The 12 panels measure 1.8 meters by 47 cm. The buyer'sidentity has not been revealed.
Qi Baishi was one of the world's most valued Chineseartists last year, according to a ranking published earlierthis year by Artprice.
The value of his work by auction turnover came in thirdbehind his compatriot Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) and SpaniardPablo Picasso (1881-1973) in 2016.
In 2011 one of his works, an eagle on a pine branch, soldfor USD 55 million in Beijing.(AFP)AMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.