(Yicai) Aug. 19 -- Celebrated Chinese painter and calligrapher Fan Zeng, 87, appears to have become entangled in a family dispute that involves his new 37-year-old wife, several of his children, and a valuable collection of artwork.

The elderly artist is missing after he was taken from his home about a month ago by his fourth wife Xu Meng, a former model he wed last year, Fan Xiaohui, his daughter from his second marriage, said online on Aug. 16. She claimed that a large number of valuable artworks from the home collection were also missing, and some long-time employees had been dismissed.

Later the same day, Fan Zeng's stepson from his third marriage, Fan Yifu, posted several photos of the painter at an art exhibition, apparently in response to the missing persons claim. The photos, however, did not indicate when they were taken.

An art investor told Yicai that the incident looks like “infighting between two family factions.”

Alongside the missing persons claim, there are signs that Fan’s children have been selling off his art. Fan Zeng Artwork recently sold calligraphy, paintings, and other work by the artist via a livestreaming account on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, raking in more than CNY1 million (USD139,300) over the past month, according to Red Star News.

Established in 2021, Fan Zeng Artwork is controlled by Fan Zhongda, another of Fan Zeng's stepsons. He owns 60 percent of the company, while the painter only holds a 1 percent stake, according to data on corporate information platform Tianyancha.

Fan Zeng graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1962. Over his artistic career he has published more than 200 collections of paintings, calligraphy, and essays, and holds many honorary posts, including lifetime researcher at the China National Academy of Arts and honorary dean of the Painting and Calligraphy Institute at the National Museum of China.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Martin Kadiev