Artwork Description

Title: Afraid
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2011
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 44.3 × 21.7 in (112.5 × 55 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
In Afraid, Xinlin Jiang presents a poignant portrait of a young boy against a blurred, autumn-toned background. The child’s parted lips and wide, searching eyes evoke a moment of uncertainty or apprehension, capturing a fleeting yet emotionally rich expression.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Rendered in the artist’s signature realist style, this painting combines precise portraiture with looser, expressive brushwork in the background. The contrast between the boy’s sharply defined features and the abstracted backdrop creates a psychological tension that mirrors the emotional state of the subject. Jiang’s technique shows the influence of Chinese academic realism infused with a sensitivity to mood and atmosphere.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2011, this portrait belongs to Jiang’s larger body of work focusing on children and rural life in contemporary China. The subtle emotional narrative in Afraid reflects the growing interest among Chinese artists in portraying the complexities of individual experience during a time of national transformation.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with no visible issues related to the canvas, paint layer, or structure. The surface retains its original vibrancy and texture.

6. Artistic Significance
Afraid stands out for its emotional immediacy and psychological insight. Xinlin Jiang successfully captures not only a child's likeness but also the quiet vulnerability that lies beneath the surface. This work is a powerful study of human emotion rendered with exceptional realism and empathy, making it a moving and resonant piece within Jiang’s oeuvre.