Artwork Description

Title: Strange Look No. 2
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2012
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 44.3 × 21.7 in (112.5 × 55 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
In Strange Look No. 2, Xinlin Jiang offers a tender yet compelling portrayal of a young child standing upright in warm winter clothing. The subject’s direct, unflinching gaze meets the viewer with solemnity and mystery, reinforcing the painting’s Title: and emphasizing a moment of quiet presence. The heavy textures of the oversized orange coat, plaid trousers, and wool cap envelop the child in a protective shell that contrasts with the vulnerability in their eyes.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Jiang’s realism blends painterly brushwork with an emphasis on mood and expression. His technique recalls the Chinese rural realist tradition, enriched by a contemporary psychological depth. The background is reduced to gestural abstractions, allowing the figure to emerge with full emotional force while surrounded by an atmosphere of still ambiguity.

3. Historical Context
Completed in 2012, this work aligns with Jiang's broader exploration of rural Chinese life, particularly the introspective world of children. The painting reflects post-reform era narratives, where tradition and rapid modernization intersect—here expressed through the child’s timeless stance within an undefined modern context.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition. The canvas shows no signs of warping, tears, or discoloration. The paint layer is stable, and the colors maintain their intended warmth and intensity.

6. Artistic Significance
Strange Look No. 2 adds a poignant layer to Xinlin Jiang’s ongoing portrait series. With its quiet power and psychological intensity, the piece captures a universal moment of childhood reflection and emotional complexity, distinguishing it as a work of both cultural and humanistic significance within contemporary Chinese figurative painting.