陳衍寧

款識：
陳衍寧 CHEN YANNING（左下）

亞洲私人收藏

This work is in very good condition. The four edges are slightly worn. There are very slight scratching across the surface which are only visible upon very close examination. There is a small brush hair near the middle-left. There is no sign of restoration under UV examination.
"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."

「當年因為經常到英國畫肖像，在博物館、藏家家中都可以接觸到十九世紀中期的拉菲爾前派作品，它們不僅是當時新新人類的最愛，亦是我為之傾倒的畫派。於是我開始創作唯美主義的作品，特別是表現中國晚清時代的女性，如英國維多利亞王朝末期那樣，她們也是處於社會道德和個人情感㚒縫中求存，從這個角度出發，為古典唯美的民族色彩帶來無限的創作空間。」
陳衍寧

陳衍寧繪畫語言中的東方古典元素，使他的作品特色獨具，《大年初一》即為其創作之典型。已成為中華文化圖騰的中國紅佔據了畫面的中心，氤氳着一片平安、喜氣、福祿與祥和。美國著名藝術評論家丹尼斯·韋曼（Dennis Wepman）曾說：「陳衍寧的肖像畫瀰漫著一種炫目的光感，令人聯想起十八世紀以前歐洲的偉大畫家的作品。他運用複雜的技法與對細節的高度關注，設計出大師級的構圖，似乎要抓住對象生活中的一個自然的瞬間，為其造像。」畫中溫婉仕女身著帶有牡丹紋樣的絳紅古衫，閒散而優雅地倚坐正中，以溫柔的眼神和把扇面置於身前正面示人的「扇語」，與觀者直接交流。可揣測陳衍寧或以曹雪芹筆下的「金陵十二釵」為典型示人，以貌不經意的細節配合大家閨秀的高貴含蓄，展現她的內心世界；既保留了古典風韻，亦流露出與觀者接軌的新時代女性氣息。

背景中的大幅剪紙採用的是民間一傳統吉祥圖案「喜鵲登梅」。梅花是春天的使者，而喜鵲是吉祥與福氣的象徵，正所謂「紅梅吐蕊迎新春，喜鵲登枝唱豐年」，喜鵲登梅所寓意的吉祥、好運為《大年初一》雍容典雅的畫面落下了絕佳佈景。