Artwork Description

Title: People
Artist: Li Yan
Date: 2009
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 70 x 50 cm

Artwork Identification:
People portrays a stylized female figure with an elongated neck and oversized head, rendered in a muted yet expressive palette. Standing beside a minimalist table rendered in deep blacks and golds, the figure gazes slightly to the side with large, contemplative eyes. Her tightly clasped hands and delicate posture convey a sense of poised restraint. The stark contrast between the subject and the dark, undefined background emphasizes her presence and psychological depth.

Artistic Style and Influences:
This work reflects Li Yan’s idiosyncratic approach to figuration, which draws upon elements of both surrealism and modern caricature. The elongated proportions, simplified geometry, and slightly melancholic tone echo the influence of artists such as Modigliani and Zhang Xiaogang, while remaining distinctly personal in execution. The use of a somber palette further enhances the mood of introspection and quiet drama.

Historical Context:
Painted in 2009, People aligns with Li Yan’s interest in capturing inner emotional states through distorted yet symbolic portraiture. The era marked a broader return to individual identity in Chinese contemporary art, where figurative representations often carried coded psychological or social commentary.

Provenance:
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation:
The artwork is in very good condition. The canvas remains taut, with the paint surface intact and no visible signs of damage or restoration.

Artistic Significance:
People is a compelling representation of Li Yan’s exploration of individuality and inner narrative. Through its minimal setting and stylized form, the painting communicates a subtle emotional resonance and captures a fleeting moment of introspection, rendering it a powerful and memorable portrait in the artist’s oeuvre.