NEW YORK, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A collection of meticulous handwritten dinner menus prepared by Zhang Daqian, one of the best-known Chinese artists of the 20th century, will be for sale at Christie's in New York on Tuesday.
These delicious artefacts are from the collection of Min Chi Hsu, Zhang's private chef from 1977-1979. They are part of Chinese painting and works of art offered by Christie's in the Asian Art Week, a series of auctions, viewings, and events, from March 16-23.
In addition to his prodigious skills as an artist, Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) was also an expert chef and "known to be a real gourmand," according to Jennie Tang, a specialist in Chinese Paintings at Christie's in New York.
"He loved food, and loved painting food," and considered cooking a form of fine art, Tang said. Indeed, he was known to tell his disciples that it was impossible for a student who "does not appreciate cuisine to really understand art."
In his art work, Zhang often depicted humble fare such as mushrooms, carrots, asparagus, cabbage, persimmons and mountain vegetables. He would regularly prepare beautiful menus for the guidance of his personal chef Hsu, who worked for Zhang soon after the artist had moved to Taiwan from Brazil.
"Looking ahead to dinner he would write down exactly what dishes he wanted to eat that night and give it to his chef to cook," said Tang.
Hsu was introduced to Zhang through a friend's father, who was studying painting with him at the time, soon after Hsu had just completed culinary training.
Also featured in the Christie's sale is a fine selection of works by Zhang, including Bodhisattva for 300,000-400,000 U.S. dollars and splashed-Ink Landscape for 200,000 to 300,000 U.S. dollars.
