Oil on canvas

50 x 56 cm. 19 5/8 x 22 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly by present Asian collector from the artist

Regain the original simplicity, in the heart remains dear homeland.
Wan Jinsheng: the pioneer of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts
As the cradle of the fine art in north-eastern China, Luxun Academy of Fine Arts developed an important theoretical school, along with Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Academy of Art and Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. Wan Jinsheng, born in north-eastern China and having studied in Japan, was pointed as the first head of oil painting department in 1956. He formulated the convergence curriculum for the Academy, which improved the standard of realistic painting for a whole generation. Together with Wu Shuyang, he laid the foundation of the talents cultivation and the oil painting style in north-eastern China, playing an important role in the regularization of education in Luxun Academy of Fine Arts.
Completed in 1981, the work, Landscape of Chengde, is a representative of the works realized during his second trip to Germany in the 80s, and presented the artist's pursuit of harmonizing the shape, the color, and the spirit. In the image, methodically arranged from the near to the far are the babbling brook, swaying leaves and the undulating hills stretching for miles, presenting a springtime mountain scenery, peaceful and tranquil. A finishing touch depicted groups of young people positioned in the center of the image, in cooperation with the flowing stream, bringing dynamic energy to the work. The concise composition and thoughtful touch of the brush reveal the artist's vigorous grounding in portraying. Small in size, the figures in the center are vividly depicted through a few simple strokes and fascinating in shape and appearance. Staggered shades of brown, gray and green colors genuinely represent the authentic appearance of the hill stone. While the dark green, yellowish green and dark red overlap with each other, exquisitely depicting the varied color of the trees on both sides of the stream. On the contrary, the central figures are in bright colored clothes, revealing the artist's intention of rendering his true feelings in the natural landscape. Permeated with a strong breath of life, rich in simple and sincere feelings, the painting conveys the positive spirit of being calm and composed towards the grand scene.

Price estimate:
HKD: 90,000 - 150,000
USD: 11,500 - 19,100

Auction Result:
HKD : --