Page 184 - 亚洲二十世纪及当代艺术

44 林風眠 1900-1991 Lin Fengmian

˻ɾ Lady
੹ኈ ॷ͉ Ink and colour on paper
7
1
ߒɓɘɖ㖼ϋ˾Ъ 69.3 × 53 cm. 27 /4 × 20 /8 in.
Painted approximately in 1970s
ಛᗆ
؍ࠬे ᖵஔ࢕ඕΙ€̛ɨ Signed in Chinese with an artist’s seal on
bottom right
Ը๕ PROVENANCE
࠰ಥࠠࠅӷɛᔛ࢕ˮԄ၅ϗᔛ
Collection of important private Hong Kong
Collector Wong Lian Fon
HKD 700,000 – 900,000 ؍ࠬेɛ᜗‘d੹ኈॷ͉d69.6Ò70.2cmd
USD 89,700 – 115,400 1980 ϋ˾Ъdשርϓʹᄆ 5,750,000 ʩಥ࿆
Looking at Lin Fengmian’s creations, figure paintings are an wears a modern-style makeup, featuring beautifully curled
exemplary aspect. Apart from the fluid brushstrokes, the lashes, lightly blushed cheeks, and a hint of red lips. Her hair
appearance of the figures in his paintings carries the profound is styled in the popular double-loop braid of the Republican
emotions of the artist. It goes beyond the “form” to express era, showcasing elegant modern characteristic. The blue
the liberated “meaning,” showcasing his lifelong pursuit of a hairband that complements her dark hair further echoes the
harmonious blend of Eastern and Western influences. Among pattern of the window curtains in the background, casting a
them, the elegant and serene ladies are highly acclaimed, subtle play of light and shadow through the strands of hair
while the opera characters show remarkable charism. Both and the body. On the right side, delicate purple flowers bloom
echo Lin Fengmian’s ultimate pursuit of beauty and goodness. in a porcelain vase with the shape of a jade spring bottle,
We are honored to present the collection of Lady (Lot 44) adding a touch of classical beauty to the modern lady in the
and Opera Figures (Lot 45). The latter was purchased by the painting. The juxtaposition of flowers and the figure conveys
esteemed Hong Kong collector Wong Lian Fon in the early a poetic contemplation of “flowers speak without words, while
1980s from Hong Kong Chung Kiu Chinese Products Emporium. people are as serene as chrysanthemums,” portraying Lin’s
These masterpieces have been cherished for over 40 years, sentiments, artistic ideals, and aesthetic pursuits. In that
showcasing Lin Fengmian’s refined fusion of the past and youthful and beautiful ambiance, he harmoniously blends
present, and his profound celebration of benevolence and Eastern and Western elements with a purified visual language,
beauty. fully showcasing the charm of modern Eastern women, exuding
both elegance and confidence in this new era of grace.
Unveiling the Essence: Illuminating the Past and Present
a Graceful Aesthetic Ideal Veiled Mastery: Life’s Canvas Unfurled
Valour Amidst the Tempest
“The ladies and nudes depicted by Lin Fengmian’s
painting are unlike any traditional or Western-style “I enjoy indulging in a diverse array of films and
portrayals of women. With the use of brush and theatrical performances, regardless of their quality.
elegant hues on rice paper, he captures a kind of As long as they possess vivid imagery, captivating
illusion, an unattainable beauty. It possesses the movements, and intriguing transformations, they
charm of classical ladies and the relaxed elegance of never fail to pique my interest...I gain inspiration
Matisse... It can be said that this is the harmonious for my portraiture from the theatrical masks… For
fusion of ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, a instance, my depictions of historical figures such
creation of female beauty by Lin Fengmian.” as the King in Farewell My Concubine and Zhang Fei
stem from my impression of Peking Opera.”
{{ Renowned Chinese Art Critic Lang Shaojun
{{Lin Fengmian
This piece of Lady is exquisitely unique, deviating from Lin’s
usual square composition. It deliberately elongates the The world of theatrical performances presents a clear distinction
proportions of the main character on a rectangular paper between good and evil on stage, offering Lin Fengmian, a man
to create an elegant temperament. Departing from the whose life has been filled with ups and downs, a multitude
reclining poses commonly found in Western figure paintings, of interpretations and profound emotions. Undoubtedly, the
it showcases a sense of balanced symmetry with a seated theme of “Opera” has been one of his most cherished subjects
posture. The gentle and flowing lines, executed with finesse throughout his artistic career. Having weathered the storms of
inherited from traditional Chinese brushwork, outline the life for seventy years, he gained a deeper understanding of the
true meaning behind life’s grand drama in his later years. During
graceful curves of an Eastern beauty. The plump physique is this period, the portrayal of theatrical characters went beyond
simple yet dynamic, displaying vividness reminiscent of Henri formal exploration, embracing a newfound spiritual freedom and
Matisse and Amedeo Modigliani, capturing the essence of a contemplation of moral righteousness. Completed in the late
youthful vitality.
1970s to early 1980s after his relocation to Hong Kong, Opera
The female figure in the painting sits in a leftward “L” shape, Figures became a significant representation of Lin Fengmian’s
maintaining an upright posture with a graceful physique. She late-stage artistic exploration of “Opera” themes.

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