ZHANG; WENXIN
1928 Tianjin; China
Sitting young woman in a blue jacket.

People's Republic. 1956. Oil painting in wooden frame. 47 x 38cm/with frame 51 x 41.5cm.

The works of Zhang Wenxin; born in 1928; offer insights into the various periods of the recent Chinese history and are regarded as realistic testimonies of social and political circumstances. Although Zhang was already working artistically for the Chinese government when he was only 23 years old (between 1951 and 1959); his talent was recognised by collectors only as late as the 1990s. He was living in the United States for a long period of time where his current fame has its origin. The here offered portrait of a young woman in a typical worker's blue already shows Zhang's talent to transfer his observation skills with technical ingenuity onto the ground. At first sight the work shows a Chinese woman with a jacket in blue typical for the time. Striking colours like red or yellow were recognised as sign of the West and its wealth in the 1950s and 60s and were thus forbidden. Especially younger women of the time were wearing something red disguised under their overgarments; which came close to a private act of rebellion. In this particular case Zhang was careful that this red piece of clothing becomes visible as a detail; thus supporting this little rebellion. Due to his painterly skill the cautious and presumably somewhat astute smile of his model become believable. The spectator; in the presence of the context; has no other choice but to knowingly reflect the subtle smile of the young woman. Sign.: Wenxin. Condition A/B.

Received as a gift in China in 1958.Art trade; Van Ham.