- 580
Wang Yidong
Estimate
4,500,000 - 6,000,000 HKD
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Description
- Wang Yidong
- Snowing in March
- oil on canvas
signed in Pinyin and Chinese and dated 1988; Hefner Galleries, New York label affixed to the reverse
Provenance
Hefner Galleries, New York
Private American Collection
Private American Collection
Exhibited
New York, Hefner Galleries, Ai Xuan/Wang Yidong - Recent Works, January 5 - February 4, 1989
Literature
Ai Xuan/Wang Yidong - Recent Works, Hefner Galleries, New York, 1989, exhibition leaflet, illustrated in colour
Wang Yidong, Century Gallery, Macau, 1993, plate 17, pp. 52-55, illustrated in colour
Wang Yidong, Century Gallery, Macau, 1993, plate 17, pp. 52-55, illustrated in colour
Condition
This work is in good condition. There are some minute flecks of paint loss scattered around the upper left corner and only visible under close examination; one paint loss 0.5 cm in length, 8 cm to the right edge and 28 cm to the bottom; and an abrasion about 1 cm in length, 47 cm to the right edge and 8 cm to the bottom. There is no evidence of restoration under UV light.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
An Auspicious Snow Greets the Spring, when the World is Soft and Silent
Snowing in March by Wang Yidong
In addition to enriching the artistry of Chinese painting, the introduction of Western realism also provided a new direction for Chinese ethnic imagery. Wang Yidong has long utilized his mastery of classical realist technique to craft refined portraits of the people and the natural environment of his hometown, Linyi, which his brush transforms into a human idyll.
A Bucolic Tableau Plucks at the Heartstrings
Snowing in March (Lot 580)presents a village bathed in snow just before the onset of spring. In the temperate climate of Yimeng, a spring snow exterminates agricultural pests and softens the frozen earth. Such snowfalls are known as "auspicious snows" because they presage bountiful harvests. Some idealism infiltrates the realism of Wang's painting, which simplify the colours of the village into gentle abaisers and pure, cottony whites. He uses an earthen wall as a background that combines with the outdoor natural light to lend an openness and transparency to the painting. This stark and vivid setting pulls attention to the figure in the foreground, forming a protective screen around them that suggests a child's sense of security. Wang's passion for realism predisposes him to the intricately detailed flowers and birds of traditional Chinese painting. He tips his hat to this tradition with three sparrows in the upper left portion of the painting, using a light touch to suggest an idealized state of harmonious coexistence between mankind and the natural world.
Forging Ethnic Traditions into Painting
The Fauvist master Henri Matisse was born in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, the French textile capital. Textile patterns fascinated Matisse from a young age and became a lifelong inspiration of his painting. Wang Yidong, a representative painter of Chinese pastoral realism, has retained a sentimental attachment to his hometown of Linyi, Shandong. In addition to the local people and scenery, he also strives to incorporate traditional ethnic crafts into his paintings. The Shandong textile tradition is renowned for its colourfully printed cloth patterns, which Shandong province lists as part of its non-material cultural heritage. Wang was born and raised in the Yimeng region, which has been known for its dyehouses since the Qing dynasty. He has adopted the unique technical brilliance of this tradition in his paintings, which possess a decorative aspect that cheers and delights viewers. Framed by a simple grey-and-white background, the girl in Snowing in March wears a gown featuring a butterfly-and-blossom motif commonly seen in Shandong textile patterns. The contrasting warm and cool palettes of the foreground and background convey a festive atmosphere; this subtle touch accentuates the painting's joyful tone.
Snowing in March by Wang Yidong
In addition to enriching the artistry of Chinese painting, the introduction of Western realism also provided a new direction for Chinese ethnic imagery. Wang Yidong has long utilized his mastery of classical realist technique to craft refined portraits of the people and the natural environment of his hometown, Linyi, which his brush transforms into a human idyll.
A Bucolic Tableau Plucks at the Heartstrings
Snowing in March (Lot 580)presents a village bathed in snow just before the onset of spring. In the temperate climate of Yimeng, a spring snow exterminates agricultural pests and softens the frozen earth. Such snowfalls are known as "auspicious snows" because they presage bountiful harvests. Some idealism infiltrates the realism of Wang's painting, which simplify the colours of the village into gentle abaisers and pure, cottony whites. He uses an earthen wall as a background that combines with the outdoor natural light to lend an openness and transparency to the painting. This stark and vivid setting pulls attention to the figure in the foreground, forming a protective screen around them that suggests a child's sense of security. Wang's passion for realism predisposes him to the intricately detailed flowers and birds of traditional Chinese painting. He tips his hat to this tradition with three sparrows in the upper left portion of the painting, using a light touch to suggest an idealized state of harmonious coexistence between mankind and the natural world.
Forging Ethnic Traditions into Painting
The Fauvist master Henri Matisse was born in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, the French textile capital. Textile patterns fascinated Matisse from a young age and became a lifelong inspiration of his painting. Wang Yidong, a representative painter of Chinese pastoral realism, has retained a sentimental attachment to his hometown of Linyi, Shandong. In addition to the local people and scenery, he also strives to incorporate traditional ethnic crafts into his paintings. The Shandong textile tradition is renowned for its colourfully printed cloth patterns, which Shandong province lists as part of its non-material cultural heritage. Wang was born and raised in the Yimeng region, which has been known for its dyehouses since the Qing dynasty. He has adopted the unique technical brilliance of this tradition in his paintings, which possess a decorative aspect that cheers and delights viewers. Framed by a simple grey-and-white background, the girl in Snowing in March wears a gown featuring a butterfly-and-blossom motif commonly seen in Shandong textile patterns. The contrasting warm and cool palettes of the foreground and background convey a festive atmosphere; this subtle touch accentuates the painting's joyful tone.