Artwork Description

Title: A View by the Pond
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2014
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 27.6 x 13.8 in (70 x 35 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Executed in 2014, A View by the Pond is a vertical-format oil painting by Xinlin Jiang that captures a peaceful rural pathway winding past a reflective pond toward distant fields and a cluster of whitewashed houses. Measuring 70 by 35 cm, the composition draws the viewer gently into the distance, guided by a meandering road and softened edges of foliage, earth, and water. Jiang’s technique showcases a luminous palette dominated by greens, yellows, and lilacs, balanced by the delicate silhouette of trees against an expansive sky.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
The painting embodies Jiang’s characteristic blend of impressionism and traditional Chinese landscape sensibility. The brushwork is spontaneous and atmospheric, echoing the plein air ethos of late 19th-century European painting, while the compositional serenity aligns with the spatial harmony typical of Chinese literati art. The subdued tonal transitions and fleeting play of light across the land reflect the artist’s nuanced understanding of natural rhythms and visual poetry.

3. Historical Context
Created during a decade in which rural life in China was undergoing transformation, A View by the Pond represents Jiang’s commitment to preserving visual records of agrarian beauty and cultural continuity. His scenes often depict the coexistence of human pathways and cultivated landscapes, hinting at a fading but treasured way of life. The painting evokes both nostalgia and reverence, capturing a moment of stillness in a rapidly modernizing world.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The surface is free from visible abrasions, craquelure, or discoloration. The paint layer is stable and retains its original saturation and tonal depth. No restoration or conservation intervention is required at this time.

6. Artistic Significance
A View by the Pond is a quietly powerful example of Xinlin Jiang’s rural landscape oeuvre. Through its restrained palette and lyrical composition, the work draws viewers into a contemplative engagement with nature and memory. It represents both a technical achievement and a heartfelt tribute to the artist’s surroundings, making it a compelling acquisition for collectors of Chinese contemporary painting.