Is this artwork authentic?

Yes. Every artwork sold by Kiln & Ink comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Xu Beihong. We guarantee the authenticity of every piece we sell, with a full refund if any claim is upheld within 12 months of purchase.

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We accept returns within 14 days of delivery for items in original, undamaged condition with all original packaging and certificates included. Auction purchases and custom commissions are non-returnable.

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Printmaking

Rooster

Name: Rooster
Brand: Xu Beihong
SKU: xu-beihong-rooster
Price: 999 USD
Availability: InStock

by Xu Beihong · Yixing, Jiangsu

$999

$1,299

In stock

MaterialInk on xuan paper, mounted on silkscroll

Dimensions100 x 50 cm

Year1939

EditionUnique work

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Authenticity Guaranteed

Artist-estate Certificate of Authenticity, hand-numbered in pencil at the point of pulling.

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Free over $500. Acid-free archival tissue, rigid tube, fully insured.

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The Story

This work, also known as Rooster on the Rock, is one of Xu Beihong’s most powerful flower-and-bird paintings. Xu, a master of blending Western realism with Eastern ink art, often painted roosters as symbols of awakening and resilience. In Chinese culture, the rooster’s crow marks the dawn, making it a powerful metaphor for hope and new beginnings. In this piece, he uses stark black ink for the rooster’s feathers, a vivid red for its comb, and soft washes for the rugged rock beneath it. The rooster stands tall and confident, its posture radiating strength and resolve. For Xu, this work was more than a painting; it was a statement of optimism during a dark period in Chinese history. He once said that the rooster’s unyielding call reminds us to keep faith in a brighter future. Today, this painting remains a beloved example of his mastery, admired for its bold composition and profound symbolic meaning.

Craft & Process

Combining bold ink lines with contrasting colors, the work blends traditional Chinese brush techniques with expressive composition. It aims to capture the rooster’s proud spirit, symbolizing courage, hope, and the dawn of a new era.