Christmas
Xinlin Jiang
Artwork Details
Artwork Description
Title: Christmas
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2014
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 39.4 x 70.9 in (100 x 180 cm)
1. Artwork Identification
Christmas is a sweeping oil on canvas painted by Xinlin Jiang in 2014. The composition presents a serene infant nested in a dense, organic cradle of twigs and flowers, surrounded by a dynamic flock of birds in flight. The soft, glowing palette of yellows, blues, and pale hues evokes a sense of spiritual elevation and timeless tranquility, merging themes of birth, nature, and transcendence.
2. Artistic Style and Influences
Jiang’s painterly approach reveals influences from Romanticism and Symbolism, woven into a contemporary vision. The expressive treatment of light and atmospheric space recalls the ethereal works of Odilon Redon and the dreamlike reverence of Renaissance nativity scenes. His handling of motion—especially in the fluttering birds—introduces a modern rhythm and emotional crescendo to the painting.
3. Historical Context
Created in 2014, Christmas is emblematic of Jiang’s philosophical engagement with themes of innocence, renewal, and cosmic harmony. The Title: references the Christian tradition of birth and hope, yet the absence of direct iconography suggests a universal meditation on beginnings—human, seasonal, or spiritual. The birds' flight can be interpreted as a metaphor for liberation or the soul’s journey beyond material bounds.
4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.
5. Condition and Conservation
Artwork in very good condition. The canvas shows no signs of damage or repair. Pigments remain luminous and surface texture is intact, with a well-preserved varnish layer enhancing depth and brilliance.
6. Artistic Significance
Christmas stands as one of Xinlin Jiang’s most poetically expansive compositions, blending mystical allegory with refined technical execution. Its monumental scale and emotive symbolism make it a compelling centerpiece in any collection focused on visionary or contemporary spiritual art.