Chapter 198: Shen Du's Authentic Work

A forgery?

Hao Jun was stunned for a moment, and the woman's face fell.

Li Yu of the Qing Dynasty?

I've never even heard of him...

The old man holding the walnuts frowned: "Young man, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want!"

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Indeed, I am young, and I haven't eaten as many meals as you have!"

The old man froze, his face turned pale in an instant, and he opened his mouth to curse.

Lin Sicheng waved his hand again: "Old sir, Senior Brother Hao invited me to appraise this. Since I've finished, I must report the truth. As for whether my assessment is correct or if I'm just talking nonsense, shouldn't you wait for me to finish before you reach a conclusion?"

His face turning shades of green and white, the old man gritted his teeth: "Fine, speak!"

If he couldn't provide a solid reason, this matter wouldn't be over today.

"Good, then I'll get to the point!"

Lin Sicheng nodded and pointed at the painting: "Ming Dynasty Xuan De Paper, Ming Dynasty old pear wood rollers, Ming Dynasty Pine Soot Ink, even the backing uses Ming Dynasty Mature Xuan Paper... but there is one thing..."

Pausing for a moment, Lin Sicheng pointed at the seals: "This is Jiang Sixu Hall mud from the mid-Qing period in the Suzhou-Hangzhou area, first created at the end of the Qianlong reign. It is understandable for the three collection seals to use this.

But Cha Shibiao passed away in the thirty-seventh year of Kangxi. He had been dead for nearly a hundred years before the Jiang Sixu Hall mud even existed. So, where did the ink paste for these two inscription seals on the painting come from?"

The group was collectively stunned and leaned in closer.

Those involved in Artifact Research generally understand a bit about seal paste and have heard of the Qing Dynasty Suzhou-Hangzhou Jiang Sixu Hall mud. But they couldn't really say what its specific characteristics were or how to distinguish it.

But they could see: whether it was the inscription seals of Zha Shibiao or the three collection seals below, there didn't seem to be any difference in color or texture, did there?

What does that mean?

These five seals were all stamped at the same time.

But Zha Shibiao died in the mid-Kangxi period, while the seal paste for the inscriptions was produced after the Qianlong period; this point alone is enough to prove that this painting is a forgery...

In astonishment, Lin Sicheng pointed to the blank space on the upper right of the painting: "Look closely, isn't the paper color here slightly darker, as if it were dirty from improper storage?"

"Actually, that's not it. There was originally an inscription here, which was later washed off... but for fear of ruining the Xuan paper, they didn't dare wash it too harshly, so a layer of ink marks remained..."

"And this..." Lin Sicheng pointed to the long, thin silk borders outside the painting heart, "Although both are Qing Dynasty Suzhou silk, there is a clear difference in the craftsmanship and materials between the Kangxi and Qianlong eras..."

Afterwards, Lin Sicheng straightened his back: "There aren't many flaws, and it's hard to appraise with the naked eye, but there are so many scientific appraisal methods now that a quick pass through an instrument would reveal it..."

"Whether the seal paste of the five seals is from the same period and the same material, how many years the paste on the rollers and the silk strips on the top and bottom have been oxidized, whether it is Kangxi or Qianlong era silk—one test will tell..."

The old Expert opened his mouth, unable to speak.

Taking someone's money to do their bidding, he had been hired by the seller; if the buyer said it was a forgery, he would have to refute it regardless of whether it was or not.

But he had only spoken a bit too harshly, and now he was being lectured by this kid?

The key was that he was left speechless by the lecture.

But how could this kid have such sharp eyes?

Not to mention anything else, he hadn't even noticed the contaminated blank space that looked like a washed-off inscription.

And those five seals—he hadn't noticed that the color and degree of aging seemed identical either.

It wasn't that he wasn't diligent, but that it was too subtle: things preserved for hundreds of years being a bit old, a bit dirty, and the seal paste from different periods looking roughly the same—wasn't that normal?

It wasn't just him; even Hao Jun and Ye Anning hadn't paid much attention...

The group was stunned into silence, and that Ms. Wang stared at Lin Sicheng, looking him up and down.

She had been to Beijing and paid a high price to have an Expert from the National Art Museum of China look at it, and the conclusion was also that it was a forgery. But the Expert only said the seals weren't quite right and seemed to have been stamped at the same time, but didn't say what kind of 'Sixu Hall' mud was used.

As for the contamination in the blank space being caused by a washed-off inscription, or even Li Yu, they hadn't mentioned it at all.

The key was that this kid had used less than half the time the Expert had...

In a flash, she suddenly smiled: "Your surname?"

Lin Sicheng was expressionless: "Lin!"

"Teacher Lin has a sharp eye... May I ask: who is Li Yu?"

"A painter during the Qianlong and Jiaqing eras of the mid-Qing, a native of Dantu (Zhenjiang), who studied under the master Pan Gongshou of the Jingjiang School (also known as the Dantu School), specializing in Landscape Pattern and specifically imitating Zha Shibiao..."

The woman's eyes lit up: "Is he also a famous master?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "He only had a modest reputation in the Suzhou and Zhejiang areas at the time, so there is basically no record of him in historical materials!"

If he wasn't even mentioned in historical materials, what kind of famous master was he?

The woman's gaze dimmed again: "Then how much is this one worth?"

Lin Sicheng replied without hesitation: "Three to five thousand at most!"

Stunned for a moment, the woman's face darkened.

From three to five million down to three to five thousand—what kind of difference was that?

And that was "at most"...

She said thank you and rolled up the painting.

Hao Jun was taken aback and cursed: "Damn it, this bitch clearly knew there was a problem with the painting."

But isn't that how the Antique Trade is: cheat if you can, bluff if you can?

While he was secretly thinking, the woman took the initiative to open the second long box.

Untying the silk ribbon and slowly spreading it out, the woman made a gesture of invitation.

Lin Sicheng glanced at it, his eyes flickering slightly: Another "Cloud Mountain Painting"?

It was the same ink Landscape Pattern, the same strange peaks and sparse forests, the same flat river and mountain ranges.

Even the artistic conception and charm seemed roughly the same?

Looking closely at the inscription seals, the large "Xuanzai" inscription in the upper left and the engraved "Dong Qichang Seal" entered his eyes.

Lin Sicheng was stunned and leaned back slightly.

This Miss Wang seems to be able to tell fortunes: I had only just thought of Dong Qichang, and in the blink of an eye, she produces a work by Dong Qichang?

Don't say, at first glance, it actually looks quite authentic.

The same process, first look at the materials: the roller is Red Sandalwood, which is more precious than rosewood, whether from the Ming and Qing dynasties or modern times. It is lightly carved with cloud patterns, the style is simple, sparse, and well-proportioned.

The patina is smooth and even, and the wood color is restrained and natural.

The paper color is slightly darker, but this is caused by oxidation. The color of the original paper should be lighter than the Xuande paper of the Ming dynasty, historically known as "Light Paper," which Dong Qichang uniquely loved.

He even specifically wrote a rhapsody in praise of it: the moistness of fish roe and pine flowers, the smoothness of spread jade and struck ice...

The four sides are of high-quality plain silk, and the two ends (the top and bottom headers) are light blue damask, highlighting a low-key yet luxurious feel. The overall piece imitates the "Xuanhe Mounting" style, which prizes simplicity and elegance as its core.

That is, "the painting is the focus, and nothing should detract from its colors."

The backing uses Ming dynasty Raw Xuan Paper, which perfectly matches the sparse and light style of Dong Qichang's ink Rendering. Seeing this, at least the mounting and the painting paper are fine.

Looking at the Seal Mark, although this is the only one on the entire painting, the knife work is flexible, archaic yet elegant, and reveals sincerity amidst its solemnity... This is absolutely a self-carved seal of Dong Qichang.

Looking at the inscribed poem, Meng Haoran's "Staying Overnight on the Jiande River":

Moving the boat to anchor by the misty islet, at dusk the traveler's sorrow is renewed; the wilderness is vast, the sky lowers over the trees, the river is clear, and the moon draws near to people.

The poem is a good poem, and the calligraphy is also good calligraphy:

Based on the center-tip brush technique, the lines are like "an awl drawing in sand," vigorous yet not lacking in subtlety. It also faintly reveals the brushwork of Mi Fei, "no vertical stroke without retraction, no movement without collection," emphasizing "vigorous force for momentum, emptiness and harmony for rhyme."

The script is running-cursive, the character groups are connected like trailing silk, the brush intent is continuous like flowing water, and the character shapes are tilted to create a sense of danger; it possesses both what calligraphers call "energy pulse" flow and the ability to seek balance within movement.

Most notable is Dong Qichang's unique calligraphy style of "using light ink on Light Paper": changing the traditional Ming habit of using deep ink, he uses light ink to express an artistic conception of "emptiness, harmony, and detachment," and "moistness within lightness."

The overall composition is sparse and ethereal, detached and tranquil, yet highlights a simple, unadorned, plain, and natural charm, like "unsculpted jade," "seeking truth within the essence."

Never mind the painting for now, just speaking of the calligraphy: Lin Sicheng dares to be ninety-nine percent certain that this poem was absolutely inscribed by Dong Qichang himself.

Now looking at the painting: the brushwork is restrained and subtle, lively and natural. The ink color is clear, moist, and elegant, with distinct layers. It also faintly reveals the essence of Song and Yuan dynasty masters of Landscape Pattern:

Dong Yuan's sparse woods and distant trees, flat, distant, and profound. Juran's light mists and gentle vapors, clear and moist. Ma Yuan's clear, natural, simple, and lively style, as well as Huang Gongwang's leisurely, ethereal, plain, and innocent spirit.

And it incorporates calligraphy into painting: using center-tip brushwork, the outlines of mountains and rocks are sketched with the neatness of regular script, then side-tip brushwork is used for dotting and dyeing, adding branches, leaves, and moss dots to increase liveliness.

It also takes light ink as its foundation, with clear, moist, and elegant ink tones. Then, through Ink Splashing and Ink Breaking techniques, it presents the subtle changes of "ink divided into five colors."

Seeing this, I feel... is this truly an Authentic Work of Dong Qichang?

But Lin Sicheng always feels something is not quite right.

After thinking for a moment, he turned the painting upside down, took a step back, and examined it while cupping his chin.

The others could not help but be stunned, looking at each other: looking at a painting upside down, where did he learn that?

Never mind that old Expert and Hao Jun, Ye Anning is a graduate of the China Academy of Art, specializing in Calligraphy and Painting Appraisal, and having consulted countless famous masters, she had never heard of this method.

Of course she hadn't heard of it: this is the unique skill of Mr. Xu Bangda of the Forbidden City. When Ye Anning was auditing classes at the Forbidden City, the old gentleman was already eighty-five years old and had long since retired.

So one must thank Old Madam Wang: Lin Sicheng learned painting, painting appraisal, and seal carving from Mr. Xu intermittently for three full years.

Anyway, it's incredibly effective.

Just like now, Lin Sicheng took a close look and really did see something. A light flickered in his eyes—surprised, curious, and intrigued.

He had seen many paintings of this type, but this was his first time seeing a work by Dong Qichang.

Half-true and half-false, both true and false...

After looking at it again, Lin Sicheng turned the painting back over and put down the Magnifying Glass.

Hao Jun's spirits lifted: "How is it?"

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment: "It's passable!"

What does "passable" mean?

Appraisal is appraisal; if you don't give a definitive conclusion, what do you call that?

To say that it was inconvenient for Lin Sicheng to speak, that was impossible. First, the relationship between the two was clear, and second, that was not Lin Sicheng's personality.

Hao Jun frowned: "Fake?"

"The painting is real!" Lin Sicheng said with a tone of certainty, but he shook his head: "But hold on for a moment!"

Hao Jun was completely confused: those who should understand could understand; Lin Sicheng's "hold on" meant for him not to acquire it.

But he also said the painting was real... isn't that self-contradictory?

The old Expert, who had been holding his breath, glared: "Young man, Miss Wang took this painting to Beijing and had the experts at the National Painting Gallery look at it; they said it was an Authentic Work of Dong Qichang."

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Then why hasn't Miss Wang sold it?"

The old man was choked up.

She could sell it, but the price was too low. The reason was simple: the provenance was disordered.

Apart from Dong Qichang's inscription and seal, there was not a single other Seal Mark of appraisal and collection, nor a single line of appraisal inscription or colophon.

To speak professionally: there was no historical anchor for its authenticity, no continuation or influence of artistic philosophy. There was no continuous carrier of the literati spirit, and even less of a mirror of the era's appraisal and collection ecology.

And even more so, there was no market endorsement of its artistic value across various eras.

Don't even talk about Dong Qichang; even an Authentic Work of Qianlong would have to be discounted. That was why the woman had brought the painting to Rongbaozhai.

If the price was right, it would be best if Rongbaozhai bought it. Even if they couldn't buy it, getting an appraisal stamp would also work.

Don't be surprised, Rongbaozhai really does have this service: after verifying it as an authentic work, they will help the guest stamp it to indicate it is an authentic work. It starts at 100,000, and the final amount depends on the market value of the painting. Basically, it's 100,000 plus ten percent.

With the Rongbaozhai stamp, it could go to auction. If the price is set higher and it goes to auction a few more times, the appraisal stamps from major auction houses would also be acquired. Although it doesn't compare to a true "orderly provenance," at least it has an endorsement, and the price would be much higher.

Unlike now, where the highest bid is only over 800,000. And in recent years, the auction price for Dong Qichang's landscapes has been at least 3 million...

Just as the old man was about to say something, the woman waved her hand gently.

Her hunched waist slowly straightened, her eyes fixed on Lin Sicheng, her expression both suspicious and grave.

"Are the materials of the painting wrong?"

"They are all correct!" Lin Sicheng shook his head, "The roller is correct, the silk is correct, and the damask is also correct. The paper, ink, oil, and seal paste are all correct."

The woman pressed on: "Then is the seal wrong, or the inscription wrong, or perhaps the painting itself is wrong?"

"The seal is correct, a self-carved seal personally cut by Dong Qichang. The inscription is also correct, written in Dong Qichang's own hand. The painting, too, can be considered correct; at the very least, all the major firms recognize it."

Lin Sicheng paused for a moment, his tone softening slightly: "But Miss Wang, if I speak too specifically, you certainly won't feel comfortable. As the saying goes, even if a deal doesn't go through, the goodwill remains. If it's not accepted here, just try another place; there's no need to make yourself unhappy..."

The woman's heart skipped a beat.

The painting, can also be considered correct?

No need to make yourself unhappy?

Doesn't that mean there is still a problem with the painting?

But the woman did not quite believe it.

Because the old man did not lie; she had truly gone to Beijing to ask an Expert at the National Art Academy to look at it, and the Expert said it was an authentic work.

She had even been to Poly, China Guardian, and Beijing Hanhai; these three firms also said it was an authentic work.

It was only because the estimated starting bid was too low that she did not send it for auction.

The woman thought for a moment, gritted her teeth slightly, took out her checkbook, and filled it out with a "swish-swish" sound.

A "4" in front, followed by four zeros—a full forty thousand. This was equivalent to paying the appraisal fee for the previous piece, the one by Cha Shibiao, as well.

But don't complain that it's expensive.

If there is a problem with an item, Rongbaozhai will only say they won't accept it, but they won't tell you where the problem lies. If you insist on asking, sorry: twenty thousand per piece...

Lin Sicheng and Hao Jun exchanged a glance: they were clearly here to mount paintings, yet they could actually earn some pocket money?

Of this forty thousand, Rongbaozhai takes a ten percent cut, and the externally invited Expert earns ninety percent...

Having filled it out in a few strokes, the woman pushed it forward: "Teacher Lin, I would like to hear the details!"

Since the money had been collected, the service naturally had to be handled well; Lin Sicheng spoke with full sincerity:

"Miss Wang, let me put it simply: this is a ghostwritten work. It means that after someone else painted it, Dong Qichang stamped his seal and added a poem... And it's not just this one piece of yours, Miss Wang."

"I can say this: most of the Dong Qichang paintings currently circulating on the market are of this type: ghostwritten by others, with Dong Qichang adding the colophon and stamping the seal..."

"And just based on the research by Mr. Qi Gong, there are more than a dozen students, retainers, and servants under the Dong household who specifically ghostwrote for Dong Qichang, among whom are many famous masters: such as the Landscape Pattern master Zhao Zuo, the Huating School masters Shen Shichong, Wu Zhen, Zhao Xingzhi, Ye Junshan, as well as the painting monk Ke Xue, Yang Yanchong... and so on and so forth..."

"It is not just in one ancient document that Dong Qichang's method of accumulating wealth through this assembly-line style of work and fake imitation is recorded."

"Jiang Shaoshu (a late Ming collector, scholar, who served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works in Nanjing), in the second volume of *Yunshi Zhai Notes*, under 'Remnant School of Calligraphers': Among the disciples of Yuanzai (Dong Qichang) was Wu Chuhou. Chuhou's given name was Qiao, later changed to Yi..."

"When Siweng (Dong Qichang) responded to the summons of the Palace Secretariat and was weary of social obligations, he would hire Chuhou to replace him (ghostwrite), while still personally instructing those who sought his work, satisfying each of their wishes before they left. Chuhou's residence was piled with silk and plain cloth, even more so than on the shelves of the Minister of Rites (Dong Qichang)..."

"Still from Jiang Shaoshu, in the fourth volume of *History of Silent Poetry*: Zhao Zuo, courtesy name Wendu, a man from Yunjian. His painting style followed Dong Beiyuan, Huang Zijiu, and Ni Yunlin, surpassing the ancient and distant (Mi Fei and Ma Yuan)... Most of the Dong traces (Dong Qichang Authentic Work) circulating (circulating on the market) are from the hand of Wendu..."

"There is also *Poems on Painting* by Zhu Yizun (a Qing dynasty man of letters, collector, and epigrapher): Dong Wenmin (Dong Qichang) was weary of social obligations and would often hire Zhao Wendu and the monk Xuegong (Ke Xue) to ghostwrite, while he personally wrote the inscriptions..."

"There is also *Life Spectacle* (a record of calligraphy and painting appraisal) written by the Qing dynasty appraiser and collector Gu Fu: My late father associated with Siweng for twenty years and never once saw him paint. When the silk, paper, bamboo, and brushes were piled on his desk, he would call for Zhao Xing, Zhi Jiong, Ye Junshan, and others to ghostwrite..."

"The old man (Dong Qichang) would then add poems, write inscriptions, and use his seals to satisfy those who sought his work... I heard that when the old man was in his middle years, there were many seekers from all directions, so he ordered Zhao Wendu to assist in ghostwriting; when Wendu passed away, Junshan and Xingzhi succeeded him, and the true and the fake were mixed together... And there are at least twenty or thirty such historical documents..."

Lin Sicheng pointed to the painting on the coffee table: "Let's talk about this piece: the brushwork is restrained, the ink tone is light and clear, the composition is natural, and the lines are lively; it appears both leisurely and ethereal, while also revealing a sense of plainness and innocence."

"Furthermore, it uses calligraphy in painting and takes light ink as its foundation; it has both Ink Splashing and Ink Breaking. At first glance, it is undoubtedly Dong Qichang's 'Mature After Raw' technique."

"However, the Craftsman spirit is too heavy; it pays too much attention to technique, and the layers of the image are too complex. Although it has a strong sense of three-dimensionality, it lacks the unique Dong Qichang quality of 'downplaying realism to amuse oneself with brush and ink'."

"Secondly, the brushwork: Dong Qichang mostly used the center and side of the brush, followed by dry brush and light ink, which is why his work has a balance of void and solid, and is sparse and ethereal. But this piece uses dry brush and scorched ink as its main elements, then uses multiple layers of Rendering to achieve the effect of 'light brushwork'..."

"Looking at the composition again, it is a typical three-stage layout: foreground grass pavilion, middle-ground water expanse, and background mountain ranges, with clear layers. But Dong Qichang's compositional characteristic is actually concise and level-distant..."

"To put it simply: Dong Qichang's painting style is not this dense; the areas left blank are extremely numerous, at least more than the areas where the brush touched... Therefore, I judge that this should be a ghostwritten work by the famous Ming dynasty painter and representative of the Huating School, Zhao Zuo."

"Compared to Dong Qichang, whether in terms of painting skill, brush strength, or artistic conception, Zhao Zuo is a bit inferior, but that is only relative. He himself was a famous Ming dynasty master, and there are quite a few of his works handed down:"

"The *Fuchun Great Ridge Picture* scroll in the Palace Museum, the *Cold River Grass Pavilion Picture* hanging scroll in the Taipei Palace Museum, and the *Imitating Dachi Autumn Mountain Endless Picture* scroll, *Landscape Scroll*, and *Autumn Mountain Secluded Dwelling Picture* fan face in the Shanghai Museum."

"The *Creek Mountain Endless Picture* scroll is included in the second volume of *Illustrated History of Chinese Painting*, and the *Yangtze River Layered Greenery Picture* scroll is housed in the National Art Museum of China..."

Pausing slightly, Lin Sicheng smiled again: "To circle back: this piece is indeed a ghostwritten work, but the inscription and the seal are both real. Moreover, Zhao Zuo himself was a famous master and professionally ghostwrote for Dong Qichang for over twenty years, and there are many paintings handed down, so all the major firms tacitly accept them as Dong Qichang Authentic Work..."

"However, tacit acceptance is one thing, but for fear of ruining their reputation, the starting bid before an auction will never be too high, basically not exceeding one million... And how much is a piece of this size that is an authentic work by Dong Qichang's own hand?"

Lin Sicheng held up three fingers: "The starting bid is at least three million and up!"

Speaking in a straightforward, steady, and unhurried manner, Lin Sicheng talked eloquently.

But the woman's heart sank straight down.

Subconsciously, she recalled the words that Expert at the National Art Academy said after looking at it for a full hour: It's basically fine, Miss Wang can try putting it up for auction.

She only wanted a result and didn't ask him for an Identification Certificate; if there was no problem, it was no problem, so why add "basically" in front?

And those large auction houses she had been to, they all said it was an authentic work when she went, but the starting bid was always as if they had agreed upon it: seven hundred thousand, eight hundred thousand, nine hundred thousand...

When she asked for the reason, the excuse was surprisingly consistent: the provenance is disorganized.

But she only now understood that it wasn't like that at all; it was exactly as Lin Sicheng said: Zhao Zuo's ghostwritten work is only worth this much...

Suddenly, the woman's lips trembled: she had been with him for two years, and the result was only worth three fakes; calculating it, it wasn't even one million?

But since the person was already in prison, she couldn't exactly go to the prison to settle the score, could she?

However, if it only sold for a few hundred thousand, she really wasn't reconciled...

The woman gritted her teeth and looked at Hao Jun: "General Manager Hao, I will pay more, or I will give it directly to you... I beg you to stamp a seal on this painting..."

Hao Jun was startled: "Are you kidding me!"

Is this a matter of paying more money?

Whoever stamps it is an idiot: if it is ever discovered, Rongbaozhai will sue, and he will get at least three years...

Secretly changing his mind, Hao Jun put on a stern face: "Miss Wang, I apologize!"

The woman's expression dimmed; she was stunned for a long time before nodding.

Then she would put it up for auction.

It was impossible for everyone to be like this kid, with such sharp eyes and knowing so much. Perhaps it could fetch a high price.

But what if?

What if someone exposed it and recognized it as a ghostwritten work by Zhao Zuo? Then the path of putting it up for auction would be completely blocked.

So, in the end, should she bid or not?

For a moment, her mind was a chaotic mess, and the woman silently rolled up the painting and placed it into the box.

Perhaps the blow was a bit too great, as she seemed somewhat dazed; when she went to set it down after closing the lid, she accidentally knocked another scroll off.

With a "clatter," the long box fell to the floor, the bottom and lid separated, and the painting scroll rolled out.

It wasn't tied at all, so it immediately unrolled halfway, revealing neat, orderly calligraphy.

Huh, this calligraphy is written well; it looks just like it was printed?

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment, then reached down to pick it up.

Zile... is this the seal of Shen Du?

Haha... Taige Style?

But why does it look a bit like a Shen Du Authentic Work?