Artwork Description

Title: Shiji
Artist: Dongsheng Yu
Date: 2014
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 50 × 50 cm (19.7 × 19.7 in)

1. Artwork Identification
Shiji (which translates as Historical Records) appears to depict an aged manuscript or scroll, possibly evoking the texture and presence of ancient texts. The composition suggests weathered paper surfaces, accented by tones of sepia or gray, with traces of calligraphy or symbolic marks.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
This work reflects minimalist aesthetics and literati traditions, merging abstraction with cultural references to Chinese scholarship and intellectual heritage. The tactile qualities suggest influences from ink wash painting, while the subject references the archival and historical memory embedded in Chinese art.

3. Historical and Cultural Context
The Title: refers to Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), an iconic text by Sima Qian, a cornerstone of Chinese historiography. The artwork appears to meditate on the endurance and fragility of cultural memory, aligning with contemporary practices that revisit historical narratives through abstract forms.

4. Provenance and Authenticity
Further verification is needed, but given its conceptual and material qualities, the piece likely belongs to a series engaging with textual heritage.

5. Condition and Conservation
Appears to be in stable condition. Paper-based works require protection from humidity and light exposure to prevent deterioration or fading.

6. Artistic Significance
Dongsheng Yu’s Shiji stands out for its dialogue between materiality and meaning, creating a contemplative space where ancient textual culture intersects with contemporary abstraction. It reflects the continuity of scholarly traditions within modern Chinese art.