Preview to be held for Poly Auction's autumn sales

Works of arts and crafts to be sold at Poly Auction's major autumn sales. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The care and thought a great artist invests in a work are evident not only in the finished piece, but also in the drafts prepared along the way, where the artist may leave notes for improvement.

Fu Baoshi, one of modern China's most innovative ink painters, created a painting inspired by a poem by the late Chairman Mao Zedong. The fourth and fifth preparatory versions are included in the previews for works of art and crafts to be offered at Poly Auction's major autumn sales, scheduled from Dec 16 to 18 in Beijing.

Works of arts and crafts to be sold at Poly Auction's major autumn sales. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The preview exhibition, which runs through Monday, features paintings, calligraphy scrolls, manuscripts, and various other objects.

Other highlights include a flower painting that exemplifies the artistry of Shen Zhou of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), as well as a letter showcasing the calligraphy of Xianyu Shu, a renowned 13th-century calligrapher.

Works of arts and crafts to be sold at Poly Auction's major autumn sales. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Works of arts and crafts to be sold at Poly Auction's major autumn sales. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]