Mar 24, 2026 10:00 EST
Fine Chinese Works of Art Featuring The Tina Hills Collection / Fine Asian Works of Art
193
Chen Yifei
The Tina Hills Collection
Chinese, 1946-2005
Start of the Day (Suzhou)
Oil on canvas
Signed Chen Yifei, 1984.
30 x 42 inches
Chen Yifei's estate certified the authenticity of the painting. Updated condition report.
Hammer Galleries, New York; with label.
Chen Yifei Estate has confirmed the authenticity of this work. This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Chen Yifei Estate.
The painting captures an early morning scene along the ancient canal of Suzhou. As the first light of day emerges, the water shimmers with gentle ripples. A small covered boat glides slowly forward as its occupant poles through the quiet canal, beginning the day’s journey toward an arched stone bridge ahead. On either side, the whitewashed walls and dark-tiled roofs of the waterside houses stand silently, enveloped in the soft morning haze, evoking the tranquil and poetic atmosphere of Jiangnan.
With his refined and lyrical realism, Chen Yifei beautifully conveys the serenity and warmth of Jiangnan, allowing viewers to feel as though they are immersed in that fleeting moment of morning light and still water.
Sold for $95,750
Estimated at $20,000 - $30,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
The Tina Hills Collection
Chinese, 1946-2005
Start of the Day (Suzhou)
Oil on canvas
Signed Chen Yifei, 1984.
30 x 42 inches
Chen Yifei's estate certified the authenticity of the painting. Updated condition report.
Provenance:Hammer Galleries, New York; with label.
Chen Yifei Estate has confirmed the authenticity of this work. This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Chen Yifei Estate.
The painting captures an early morning scene along the ancient canal of Suzhou. As the first light of day emerges, the water shimmers with gentle ripples. A small covered boat glides slowly forward as its occupant poles through the quiet canal, beginning the day’s journey toward an arched stone bridge ahead. On either side, the whitewashed walls and dark-tiled roofs of the waterside houses stand silently, enveloped in the soft morning haze, evoking the tranquil and poetic atmosphere of Jiangnan.
With his refined and lyrical realism, Chen Yifei beautifully conveys the serenity and warmth of Jiangnan, allowing viewers to feel as though they are immersed in that fleeting moment of morning light and still water.
Painting examined under UV light, revealing no restoration, damage, or touch-ups; clean and original, not re-lined. There is a small cluster of six unexplained pinholes visible under close examination (see photos)
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
Auction: Fine Chinese Works of Art Featuring The Tina Hills Collection / Fine Asian Works of Art, Mar 24, 2026
-
Two-Day Auction of Asian Works of Art on March 24-25, 2026 Tops $2.5 Million!
-
Property from The Tina Hills Collection More Than Doubles Its High Estimate
-
Doyle is an Auction House Partner of Asia Week New York
-
Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly successful two-day auction of Asian Works of Art on March 24-25, 2026 topped $2.5 millon, far surpassing expectations. Bidders from around the globe drove exceptional results for a wide range of porcelain and ceramics, bronzes, jades, snuff bottles, scholar’s objects, furniture, paintings and other traditional arts representing centuries of East and South Asian history and culture.
The Tina Hills Collection
Over 100 lots of fine Chinese porcelain and other works of art from The Tina Hills Collection attracted spirited bidding, driving exceptional results and a total that more than doubled the high estimate for the collection. The top lot was magnificent pair of Kangxi famille verte rouleau vases that soared over their $30,000-50,000 estimate to achieve a stunning $203,700. The vases were decorated in full 360 with fine and intricate detail depicting throngs of onlookers clamoring to view the handsome youth Pan Yue.
Argentina "Tina" Hills was an Italian‑born American media executive and philanthropist who played a significant role in Puerto Rico’s and Miami’s civic and cultural life. In 1950, she married Ángel Ramos, the owner of El Mundo in Puerto Rico, and for decades she led the Fundación Ángel Ramos, a major philanthropic foundation. After Ramos’ death in 1960, she married Lee Hills, the Pulitzer‑winning editor of The Miami Herald who later became chairman/CEO of Knight Ridder newspapers. The couple were influential figures in journalism and philanthropy. Tina Hills also broke ground as the first woman to serve as president of the Inter‑American Press Association and was active in arts, education and community causes until her death in Miami at age 103 in 2025. Read more about Tina Hills, click here.
The Jane Stanton Hitchcock Collection
A Tibetan gilt-bronze figure of Virupa, dating to the 16th-17th century, also exceeded expectations, selling for an impressive $152,900. Property from The Jane Stanton Hitchcock Collection, the bronze was a rare early example depicting the revered Mahasiddha, and thus performed strongly despite the loss of his iconic raised arm, traditionally shown blocking the sun.
Asia Week New York
Doyle is proud to be an Auction House Partner of Asia Week New York, the annual city-wide celebration of Asian art. For information on Asia Week New York 2026, visit AsiaWeekNY.com
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
