Artwork Description

Title: Lu Xun Portrait
Artist: Hu Yi
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and color on paper
Dimensions: 53.5 x 25.2 in (136 x 64 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This striking full-length portrait by Hu Yi depicts Lu Xun (1881–1936), one of China’s most revered literary figures and social critics. The subject stands tall, clad in a traditional robe with a scarf draped over his shoulders and an umbrella in hand. The minimalist composition emphasizes the figure’s contemplative dignity and quiet strength, painted with bold yet restrained brushwork in ink and light color.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Hu Yi's rendering of Lu Xun reflects a marriage of classical Chinese portraiture and modern sensibilities. The figure’s features are sharply defined and infused with vitality, while the use of negative space and expressive calligraphy nod to traditional literati painting. The brush handling is both spontaneous and confident, evoking the symbolic weight of Lu Xun’s legacy as a moral conscience of 20th-century China.

3. Historical Context
Lu Xun remains a towering figure in modern Chinese history—known for his critiques of feudalism and his role in shaping modern Chinese literature. During the mid to late 20th century, portraits of Lu Xun were created not just as tributes but also as educational and ideological symbols. Hu Yi’s portrait avoids propagandist overtones, instead focusing on Lu Xun’s intellectual presence and human dimension.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is well preserved, with no major signs of discoloration, foxing, or tears. The ink lines remain crisp, and the soft color washes are stable and clear. No restoration is currently required.

6. Artistic Significance
Lu Xun Portrait is a refined and respectful homage by Hu Yi, honoring a pivotal figure in Chinese cultural history. The piece stands as both an artwork and a historical reflection, offering collectors a rare convergence of portraiture, literary reverence, and traditional ink artistry. It exemplifies Hu Yi’s talent for distilling profound human character through economy of line and poetic form.