Ink on paper

45.3×28 cm. 17 7/8×11 in.

LITERATURE
2014, Sanyu Catalogue Raisonné Drawings and Watercolours, Rita Wong, The Li Ching Cultural and Educational Foundation, Taipei, electronic version p.45, plate No. D0521
PROVENANCE
Previous Collection of Michel Habart, France
Private Collection, Asia

The Carefree Dance of Life in a Chaotic Universe
Sanyu's Elegance on Paper

The 1920s in France, often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties," was a period marked by economic prosperity and a flourishing of the arts, drawing artists from across the globe. Among the most renowned was the École de Paris, which included luminaries such as Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani. Within this vibrant milieu, the Chinese artist Sanyu emerged as one of the few Asian representatives of this celebrated school. Lauded as the "Oriental Matisse," Sanyu was born into a scholarly family in Sichuan and began his artistic journey under the tutelage of the esteemed Zhao Xi. In 1920, Sanyu moved to France, where he diverged from the conventional path of traditional academies, opting instead to study independently at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. This institution, known for its life drawing sessions featuring nude models, presented Sanyu with a subject matter that was both new and controversial in China at that time. Between 1920s and 1930s, he produced over two thousand drawings primarily centred on the theme of the female nude. The works featured in this spring auction-Nude Woman in Profile (Lot 46), Seated Lady (Lot 47), and Nude Lady with Arms Crossed (Lot 48) are classic examples of his sketches from this pivotal period.

The three works come from a well-ordered provenance, originally belonging to Michel Harbart, who once served as an agricultural engineer for the government of French protectorate in Morocco. He holds over a hundred works on paper by Sanyu and has collaborated with art historian Chen Yanfeng to hold solo exhibitions for the artist, making significant contributions to the promotion of his art. This release of his former collection is a rare and valuable opportunity.

A Journey Through Minimalism and Modern Beauty

"Nude, the cherished treasure of artists and a vital element for success, was once commonplace in ancient life… the methods and themes of painting are rich and diverse; today, there is a new element-modern beauty."
——Charles Baudelaire, French writer

Upon his arrival in France, Sanyu, well-versed in Chinese painting and calligraphy, innovatively employed Eastern brush to replace Western charcoal and pencil in his figure studies. This approach eschewed the rigid training focused on anatomy and proportion, favoring a more expressive line reminiscent of Chinese calligraphy. Nude Lady with Arms Crossed and Nude Woman in Profile exemplify his early mastery.

Nude Lady with Arms Crossed captures the form of a voluptuous woman with simple yet deliberate lines. The model's hips and thighs are rendered with clarity, while her feet and hands are depicted with a delicate, comb-like finesse. The lighter lines on the front of her body evoke the enchanting fluidity of Eastern aesthetic sensibilities, with the lightest strokes reserved for the head, subtly creating a sense of depth, light, and space.

Avant-Garde Explorations in Form

"I exist in a chaotic universe… Sanyu captures stillness in motion, revealing simplicity through spatial and bodily dynamics. The neutral form is highlighted without excessive embellishment, evoking a serene essence that suggests an Asian Eden. Yet, do not be misled-essence does not equate to mere replication. Sanyu is distinct; he is an artist of high standards. His allegorical style imbues his work with a sense of mystery, wherein the body becomes a symbol."
—— Jean-Claude Riedel, French art dealer and collector

In Nude Woman in Profile, the captivating S-shaped curve of the standing figure is portrayed with vibrant naturalism, as if she languidly leans against a terrace in Paris, basking in the sunlight. The model's pose, reminiscent of a veiled gesture, adds an air of mystique. Sanyu's signature "single eye" motif is another hallmark of his work, imbuing his subjects with an Eastern charm that resonates with a sense of longing.

The model's petite head juxtaposed with fuller hips and legs creates an intriguing visual balance. Sanyu once remarked in A Chinese Painter's View on Picasso: "We must find a new deity that grants us eternal youth and strength…" reflecting his embrace of avant-garde modernism. By applying the commonly seen genetic traits of Asian women-narrow shoulders and wide hips-to his Western models, Sanyu blurred cultural labels, deliberately amplifying these features to establish a clear visual focal point. This exploration of volume led to the emergence of his well-known motif, dubbed the "Thighs of the Universe," which is evident in the works presented.

Infusing Western Life with Eastern Culture

Beyond his models, Sanyu adeptly observed those around him-classmates in the studio and an array of characters in Montparnasse cafés frequently became his subjects. Seated Lady depicts a woman engrossed in painting or reading, where he skillfully combines brushwork with charcoal to enhance the details and interplay of light on skin and fabric. Unlike the popular flapper shoes of the time, the woman wears a pair of oxford-style shoes, reflecting a significant shift in post-war femininity and offering a neutral choice that embodies her individuality.

Most of Sanyu's female figures are sketched in side or back views; however, Seated Lady presents a rare frontal perspective, allowing for the preservation of the model's hips and thighs within the composition. His bold experimentation with perspective undoubtedly drew inspiration from Cubism, Fauvism, Surrealism, and even photography. The work reveals his unique vision, where the expressive lines resonate deeply, echoing the words of Russian-American musician Serge Tcherepnin: "His art was a perpetual quest for the perfect line, never artificial, moving and sinuous lines which seem to breathe with a life of their own."

Throughout over two decades of creation, Sanyu tirelessly refined his chosen theme, distilling technique through repetition and creating transformative experiences. His minimalist lines evoke a distinctly Eastern sense of peace and solitude. The three works presented here resonate like tranquil dances within a chaotic universe, leaving a lasting impression.

Price estimate:
HKD 170,000 - 250,000
USD 21,800 - 32,100