Oil on canvas

60 × 75 cm. 23 5/8 × 29 1/2 in.

Signed in pinyin on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Previous collection of the Roddick Foundation, England
13 Nov 2018, Wolley & Wallis England Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Auction, Lot4
Acquired directly by present Asian collector from the above

Build the Perfect World of Harmony
Chen Yanning's Early Masterpiece from an Important European Collection

In 1974, when Chinese contemporary art was still in its infancy, Chen Yanning received critical acclaim in the National Art Exhibition for his painting Doctor at Fishing Harbor, which was exhibited in the Spring Salon in France on behalf of China, making him the pioneer of Chinese contemporary artists on the international stage. After the Reform and Opening of China in the 1980s, Chen began to express his thoughts and emotions in realistic subjects with great skill. Chen Yanning is adept at using contrasting light, unique compositions, and thematic details to create poetic and moving works. “Young Girl and Cow” presented in this auction is one of his masterpieces of ideal life and harmonious beauty.

All Beings are Equal, All Things are Spiritual

Young Girl and the Cow injects the intimate emotions between humans and animals into the vast backdrop of nature, demonstrating the relaxation of life and the artist's classic realistic style. In the painting, a young black-haired girl sits alone on the grassland and casts a reflection of the sun on the grass. The girl looks thoughtfully to the side as if waiting for a companion. Not far behind her, a bison is gazing at her from behind, demonstrating the intimate relationship between animals and people in harmony.

The background of Young Girl and the Cow consists of a light blue sky, indigo forest, and soft green grassland, which are scraped, stacked, and painted by the knife to reveal the rich color field of nature. The contrast between the huge body of the bison and the small girl is striking, reversing the phenomenon of human beings being above other living creatures in modern society and interpreting the ideal state of “all things are equal and all beings have spirit”.

Precious Collection Coming on Stage

In the 1990s, Dame Anita Roddick, founder of the famous British skincare brand Bodyshop, came across his work during a business trip to the United States and was touched by it, buying several pieces for her collection. It was only after Roddick's death in 2007 that the work was released to the market for the first time, showing how much she valued and cherished it. It is a rare oppurtunity now for collector to enjoy Chen's piece with such a remarkabe provenance that one should not miss.

Price estimate:
HKD: 70,000 - 120,000
USD: 9,000 - 15,400

Auction Result:
HKD: 180,000