Ink and colour on paper

69.3 × 53 cm. 27 1/4 × 20 7/8 in.

Signed in Chinese with an artist's seal on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Collection of important private Hong Kong Collector Wong Lian Fon

A Tapestry of Ages Unfolds: the Eternal Drama Life Unveiled
The Portrayal of the Diverse World by Lin Fengmian

Looking at Lin Fengmian's creations, figure paintings are an exemplary aspect. Apart from the fluid brushstrokes, the appearance of the figures in his paintings carries the profound emotions of the artist. It goes beyond the “form” to express the liberated “meaning,” showcasing his lifelong pursuit of a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western influences. Among them, the elegant and serene ladies are highly acclaimed, while the opera characters show remarkable charism. Both echo Lin Fengmian's ultimate pursuit of beauty and goodness. We are honored to present the collection of Lady (Lot 44) and Opera Figures (Lot 45). The latter was purchased by the esteemed Hong Kong collector Wong Lian Fon in the early 1980s from Hong Kong Chung Kiu Chinese Products Emporium. These masterpieces have been cherished for over 40 years, showcasing Lin Fengmian's refined fusion of the past and present, and his profound celebration of benevolence and beauty.

Unveiling the Essence: Illuminating the Past and Present
a Graceful Aesthetic Ideal

“The ladies and nudes depicted by Lin Fengmian's painting are unlike any traditional or Western-style portrayals of women. With the use of brush and elegant hues on rice paper, he captures a kind of illusion, an unattainable beauty. It possesses the charm of classical ladies and the relaxed elegance of Matisse... It can be said that this is the harmonious fusion of ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, a creation of female beauty by Lin Fengmian.”
—— Renowned Chinese Art Critic Lang Shaojun

This piece of Lady is exquisitely unique, deviating from Lin's usual square composition. It deliberately elongates the proportions of the main character on a rectangular paper to create an elegant temperament. Departing from the reclining poses commonly found in Western figure paintings, it showcases a sense of balanced symmetry with a seated posture. The gentle and flowing lines, executed with finesse inherited from traditional Chinese brushwork, outline the graceful curves of an Eastern beauty. The plump physique is simple yet dynamic, displaying vividness reminiscent of Henri Matisse and Amedeo Modigliani, capturing the essence of youthful vitality.

The female figure in the painting sits in a leftward “L” shape, maintaining an upright posture with a graceful physique. She wears a modern-style makeup, featuring beautifully curled lashes, lightly blushed cheeks, and a hint of red lips. Her hair is styled in the popular double-loop braid of the Republican era, showcasing elegant modern characteristic. The blue hairband that complements her dark hair further echoes the pattern of the window curtains in the background, casting a subtle play of light and shadow through the strands of hair and the body. On the right side, delicate purple flowers bloom in a porcelain vase with the shape of a jade spring bottle, adding a touch of classical beauty to the modern lady in the painting. The juxtaposition of flowers and the figure conveys a poetic contemplation of “flowers speak without words, while people are as serene as chrysanthemums,” portraying Lin's sentiments, artistic ideals, and aesthetic pursuits. In that youthful and beautiful ambiance, he harmoniously blends Eastern and Western elements with a purified visual language, fully showcasing the charm of modern Eastern women, exuding both elegance and confidence in this new era of grace.

Veiled Mastery: Life's Canvas Unfurled
Valour Amidst the Tempest

“I enjoy indulging in a diverse array of films and theatrical performances, regardless of their quality. As long as they possess vivid imagery, captivating movements, and intriguing transformations, they never fail to pique my interest...I gain inspiration for my portraiture from the theatrical masks… For instance, my depictions of historical figures such as the King in Farewell My Concubine and Zhang Fei stem from my impression of Peking Opera.”
——Lin Fengmian

The world of theatrical performances presents a clear distinction between good and evil on stage, offering Lin Fengmian, a man whose life has been filled with ups and downs, a multitude of interpretations and profound emotions. Undoubtedly, the theme of “Opera” has been one of his most cherished subjects throughout his artistic career. Having weathered the storms of life for seventy years, he gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning behind life's grand drama in his later years. During this period, the portrayal of theatrical characters went beyond formal exploration, embracing a newfound spiritual freedom and a contemplation of moral righteousness. Completed in the late 1970s to early 1980s after his relocation to Hong Kong, Opera Figures became a significant representation of Lin Fengmian's late-stage artistic exploration of “Opera” themes.

Whispers of Stillness, Harmoniously Echo
The Interweaving of Form and Meaning Erupts

During the 1950s, while residing in Shanghai, Lin Fengmian was invited and guided by the cohabiting artist Guan Liang, gradually developing an affinity for the quintessence of Chinese opera. Among them, the opera Lu Hua Dang (Swinging Reeds) and its protagonist, Zhang Fei, held a special place in his heart, becoming the focal themes of his artistic portrayal. As for the existing works on this subject, there are only eleven known pieces, making this rare and exquisite creation of Opera Figures a remarkable treasure. As a highlight from Insulting Zhou Yu Thrice, Lu Hua Dang revolves around Zhang Fei and Zhou Yu. It recounts Zhou Yu's scheme to regain lost territory in Jingzhou by employing a beauty trap, deceiving Liu Bei into crossing the river for marriage. Zhang Fei disguises himself as a fisherman and sets an ambush in the swaying reeds, launching a surprise attack, capturing Zhou Yu thrice and releasing him thrice, leaving him infuriated and disoriented. The masterpiece Opera Figures vividly portrays the climactic scene of capturing Zhou Yu, where tension reaches its peak and swords are drawn.

Employing the classical square formation, the characters in the play stand tall and fearless, exhibiting a larger-than-life presence. Drawing upon the explorations of 1950s Cubism, Lin vividly portrays the distinctive features of the characters through sharp geometric shapes. Zhang Fei is depicted wearing a round straw hat, a long front-closing robe, and a fisherman's attire. The leopard-like eyes are highlighted by trapezoidal and triangular spirals, emphasizing his heroic and fierce nature. The scythe-shaped arms form a circular structure, exuding a sense of confidence, while the opponent's arms extend horizontally and vertically, creating an intriguing contrast. The lower garments and the parallel stances of the two figures are playfully unified, harmoniously layered within the composition. Through this composition and form, Lin masterfully captures the dynamic interaction of attack and defence between the two characters. As he aptly puts it, “Like Picasso sometimes folds objects onto one plane, I used a method where I folded each scene and each character onto the canvas after watching the opera.” The intersecting parallel stances create a distinct spatial relationship of one character in front and the other behind, while their contrasting movements in the confrontation greatly enhance the audience's engagement, providing a sense of immersive perception.

From Shadow to Life, Vividly Unveiled
The Resounding Anthem of Strength and Beauty

Drawing inspiration from Cubism's fragmenting and overlapping of objects, Lin ingeniously incorporates the side view of traditional shadow puppetry, where human shadows are projected onto white cloth. In this artwork, the blank square space creates an extended realm for the characters within the painting. The foreground figures are collaged onto the blank canvas like paper cut-outs. Through the combination, layering, weaving, and cutting of arcs, straight lines, and diagonals, they resemble shadow puppets, every gesture and movement captured in a dynamic state. The theatrical masks, beards, laurel crowns, and sashes intertwine with hues of indigo, bright yellow, ink black, reddish brown, and grass green, reflecting the rich and vibrant palette of Peking opera. It transforms into a composition that intertwines strength and beauty, good and evil, history and reality.

Within this realm of time and space, Lin infuses the figures with a romantic and fervent attitude towards life. The figures in the painting come alive, exuding tension in every corner. The expressions and movements of the characters on the stage, their singing, reciting, acting, and fighting, intertwine in Lin's brushwork as a resounding anthem of life. The modern sensibility and creativity portrayed therein embody his ideal of “organizing Chinese art, harmonizing Eastern and Western art, and revitalizing Chinese art.” It interprets an artistic spirit that reveals fervour within simplicity, and sincerity within aloofness.

Price estimate:
HKD 700,000 – 900,000
USD 89,700 – 115,400