Ink and colour on paper, mounted as a handscroll. Signed Chen Nian, dated May of xinsi (1941), with a dedication to Wang Yiling in celebration of his sixtieth birthday. Titled 'Lingshan fangbei tu' with four seals of the artist. Mounted together with a colophon written by Yang Jicheng, a banker and collector of the Republican period who worked closely with both the artist and Mr. Wang Yiling. Signed Yang Yunji Jicheng, dated May of xinsi (1941) with a dedication to [Wang] Yiling (1881 - c.1955) and one of his red seals.

Born in 1881, Mr. Wang Yiling was a banker and director at the Kincheng Banking Corporation (Jincheng Yinhang) during the Republican Period (1911 - 1949). After returning from his studies in Japan, Mr. Wang held important positions at major cities including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hankou. During this time, he built an important collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy with the help of his close friends - many of whom were 20th century Chinese painting masters themselves - including Zhang Daqian and Chen Banding. Mr. Wang and his family later moved to Hong Kong where his art collection grew substantially in size and importance. After he passed away, his descendants in 1955 began emigrating to Brazil, Taiwan, and the United States, bringing with them their father's collection. Mr. Wang's son Wang Yixian (1918 - 1979), later lived and worked closely with Zhang Daqian during his time in the famous ‘Bade Garden’ (Bade yuan), Brazil.

Mr. Yang Jicheng was the director of the Kincheng Banking Corporation in Beijing, as well as a collector of Chinese art and antiques. In 1944, he co-founded “Baoguzhai” in Liulichang, Beijing, with Qiu Zhensheng (1908 - 1989) and Zhang Shucheng (1898 - 1995). Wang Yiling was a friend and colleague to both of the renowned painter and collector. The present painting and colophon are thus dedicated to him in celebration of his sixtieth birthday.

Please note: the size of the full scroll measures 13 1/4 x 295 inches.