Artwork Description

Title: BeijingGirls
Artist: Zhang Xiangming
Date: 2016
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 39.4 x 70.9 in (100 x 180 cm)
Framing: Framed

Artwork Identification
BeijingGirls is a commanding oil on canvas by contemporary Chinese artist Zhang Xiangming, measuring 100 by 180 cm. This work belongs to the artist’s acclaimed Beijing Girl series, which has brought him international recognition. Here, a group of young women—painted with photographic precision and an otherworldly stillness—occupy the canvas with a beguiling presence. Their porcelain-like features and delicate poses invite both admiration and critical reflection.

Artistic Style and Influences
Zhang Xiangming’s work is a refined blend of hyperrealism and social commentary. His meticulous technique channels the finesse of classical realism, while his subjects—stylized portraits of contemporary urban women—anchor his work in the aesthetics of modern Chinese culture. Drawing on visual cues from fashion photography, advertising, and traditional portraiture, Zhang’s style critiques contemporary ideals of beauty, identity, and the dissonance between external image and internal emotional states.

Historical Context
Produced in the context of 21st-century urban China, BeijingGirls reflects the shifting cultural narratives around gender, consumerism, and national identity. Zhang’s female figures serve as visual metaphors for the spiritual ambiguity of modern Chinese society—caught between inherited values and emerging global influences. His work aligns with a generation of Chinese artists examining identity and alienation within the framework of rapid social transformation.

Provenance and Authenticity
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition. No signs of restoration, flaking, or discoloration are present.

Artistic Significance
BeijingGirls represents a vital contribution to ultra-contemporary Chinese figurative painting. Zhang Xiangming’s ability to fuse classical technique with timely social themes has earned him recognition both in China and internationally. This work not only embodies the psychological complexity of China’s younger generation but also invites viewers to reflect on the universal tensions between image and identity in an increasingly visual culture.