Christie’s is proud to present one of the world’s rarest Chinese paintings, Wood and Rock by Su Shi (1037-1101) — the pre-eminent scholar of the Song Dynasty and one of the most important figures in Chinese history. The ink-on-paper scroll will lead Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2018.

An esteemed scholar, writer, poet, painter, calligrapher and statesman, Su Shi was unparalleled amongst the Song literati in his artistic accomplishments. Wood and Rock depicts withered tree branches standing dignified alongside an odd-shaped rock, resembling giant creatures and dragons appearing from stormy seas. Given the pre-eminence of the artist and the extreme rarity of his paintings, Wood and Rock is set to become one of the most important works in auction history.

The painting is part of an extended scroll which is complemented with calligraphy by Mi Fu — a renowned painter, calligrapher and contemporary of Su Shi. Both Su Shi and Mi Fu are amongst the four most celebrated calligraphy masters of the Song period.