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Lot Essay
Realism is an art movement that has long existed throughout Western art traditions. Its revival of Photorealism during the 1960s saw artists involve the reproduction of photography into art, blurring the boundary between fiction and reality. This was particularly influential for Chinese artists who went to study abroad, as they began to seek new ways of thinking and presenting reality during and after the Cultural Revolution in China.
Chen Yanning is also known for his portraits of women. Cool Break (Lot 522) however, is a rare landscape painting by Chen Yanning that shows a calm scenery by the river. Chen's detailed brushwork together with a meticulously coordinated colour palette illustrates a heightened experience of time, capturing a tranquil static moment.
Another important figure in Chinese realism is Luo Zhongli, who is known for his depictions of rural life in China, demonstrated perfectly by Birth Record (Lot 525) that shows a joyous celebration of a newborn. Sharpen a Sword (Lot 524) is a more recent painting that exemplifies the transformation of Luo's style - emotionally charged with the use of dark colours and thick impasto, which successfully highlights hardship of the worker, rendering a bold social statement.
Girl with Green Apricots (Lot 521) is an early painting by Yang Feiyun that showcases the artist's interest and passion for classical paintings. Fine delicate brushwork accentuates the delineated female model posing with her face resting on her hands, looking away from viewers in a contemplative state.
Shen Hanwu's works revolve around figures from daily life. Girl by the Well (Lot 526) is a vivid representation of life in the Chinese countryside. The emotionless facial expression of the girl is inscrutable, yet thoroughly conveys the artist's empathy for the girl.
Works of these Chinese painters not only portray their subject matters in a realistic and expressionistic manner, but most importantly contain a unique oriental flare and aura that differentiates them from Western realist artists.
Chen Yanning is also known for his portraits of women. Cool Break (Lot 522) however, is a rare landscape painting by Chen Yanning that shows a calm scenery by the river. Chen's detailed brushwork together with a meticulously coordinated colour palette illustrates a heightened experience of time, capturing a tranquil static moment.
Another important figure in Chinese realism is Luo Zhongli, who is known for his depictions of rural life in China, demonstrated perfectly by Birth Record (Lot 525) that shows a joyous celebration of a newborn. Sharpen a Sword (Lot 524) is a more recent painting that exemplifies the transformation of Luo's style - emotionally charged with the use of dark colours and thick impasto, which successfully highlights hardship of the worker, rendering a bold social statement.
Girl with Green Apricots (Lot 521) is an early painting by Yang Feiyun that showcases the artist's interest and passion for classical paintings. Fine delicate brushwork accentuates the delineated female model posing with her face resting on her hands, looking away from viewers in a contemplative state.
Shen Hanwu's works revolve around figures from daily life. Girl by the Well (Lot 526) is a vivid representation of life in the Chinese countryside. The emotionless facial expression of the girl is inscrutable, yet thoroughly conveys the artist's empathy for the girl.
Works of these Chinese painters not only portray their subject matters in a realistic and expressionistic manner, but most importantly contain a unique oriental flare and aura that differentiates them from Western realist artists.