Artwork Description

Title: To Find
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2014
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 29.9 x 20.9 in (76 x 53 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
To Find is a poignant watercolor by Xinlin Jiang, rendered on paper and measuring 76 x 53 cm. The composition centers on a young girl in a vibrant red patterned jacket, standing stoically against a rough stone wall. Her wary expression and defensive posture are captured with psychological precision. A small goat in the distance subtly echoes themes of innocence and rural life.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Jiang’s mastery of watercolor technique shines through in this emotionally charged portrait. The juxtaposition of crisp textile patterns with the soft washes of the stone background reveals his control over contrast and saturation. While grounded in Chinese realist traditions, his portraiture carries echoes of Western social realism—balancing individualized depiction with broader socio-cultural resonance.

3. Historical Context
Completed in 2014, To Find speaks to Jiang’s ongoing exploration of rural Chinese childhoods amid shifting cultural and economic landscapes. The child’s attire—decorated with a cartoonish sheep face—hints at the influence of popular media and mass culture even in remote communities. The composition documents a transitional moment in rural identity, capturing the quiet tension between tradition and modernity.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is stable and free from discoloration, abrasions, or signs of prior restoration. Watercolor pigments retain their vibrancy and tonal range. The surface shows no foxing or folding, and archival mounting is recommended for optimal preservation.

6. Artistic Significance
To Find exemplifies Xinlin Jiang’s sensitivity to the psychological depth of his subjects and his commitment to representing the nuanced realities of rural life. This work holds particular value for collectors of contemporary Chinese watercolor and documentary portraiture. It underscores Jiang’s role in bridging ethnographic observation with lyrical formalism, marking him as a vital voice in China’s evolving realist tradition.