Artwork Description

Title: Grandma
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2011
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 44.3 × 21.7 in (112.5 × 55 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
In Grandma, Xinlin Jiang presents an intimate and affectionate portrait of an elderly woman, her face beaming with a toothy smile that radiates warmth and vitality. She is clad in a red floral vest that reflects both comfort and cultural tradition, while a small dog in the background gently echoes the familiar calm of rural life.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
This work is a fine example of Jiang’s realist style, capturing not only the physical likeness but also the spirit and character of his subject. Influenced by Chinese academic realism and social portraiture, Jiang’s brushwork remains attentive to texture and tone, with a particular sensitivity to human emotion and aging.

3. Historical Context
Painted in 2011, the portrait reflects a broader post-2000s interest in documenting China’s rapidly changing rural life. By choosing an elderly woman as his subject, Jiang draws attention to the wisdom and endurance of older generations often overlooked in contemporary visual narratives.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition. The surface shows no signs of damage or discoloration, and the canvas is taut and stable. Color integrity and detail are well preserved.

6. Artistic Significance
Grandma captures a poignant intergenerational message: the strength, grace, and quiet pride of a life well lived. With its heartfelt realism and emotional nuance, this portrait stands as a moving testament to familial love, memory, and cultural identity, and represents Xinlin Jiang’s capacity to humanize everyday moments with exceptional sincerity.