Bernard Leach’s Qianmen Gate, 1918

An illustration by Bernard Leach (1887-1979) was a potter, art teacher and writer born in Hong Kong. He attended the Slade in London studying under the legendary Frank Brangwyn. he became particularlu interested in Japan, taught there, mixed with Tokyo art circles. This illustration of the Qianmen (Chienmen) Gate in Peking is dated 1918 (by the auction house) but may possibly be earlier, perhaps as early as 1913. Leach was a friend and admirer of the German art critic Alfred Westhap, who was living in Peking from 1913 and who Leach may well have visited. Leach left Asia for England in 1920 and didn’t return to Asia till 1934, so that helps date the illustration.