Artwork Description

Title: Queen
Artist: Xie Hongjun
Date: 2015
Medium: Acrylic
Dimensions: 20.1 x 16.1 in. (51 x 41 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Rendered in luminous acrylics, Queen by Xie Hongjun presents a regal female figure dressed in resplendent traditional Chinese court attire. Set against a golden background, the sitter wears an ornate black headpiece adorned with a blue jewel and crimson topknot, while her rich crimson robe shimmers with intricate embroidery—featuring stylized dragons and auspicious motifs. The frontal pose, balanced symmetry, and dignified gaze imbue the portrait with ceremonial gravitas and an aura of timeless elegance.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Xie Hongjun belongs to the Asian Modern & Contemporary tradition, and his works reflect an aesthetic that harmonizes classical Chinese portraiture with modern graphic clarity. This painting blends flat fields of color and stylized linework, recalling both Qing dynasty ancestral portraiture and 20th-century modernist reinventions of identity and symbolism. The vivid palette and compositional restraint echo the influence of artists like Lin Fengmian or Zhang Daqian, who sought to reinterpret classical Chinese visual language within a contemporary framework.

3. Historical Context
Created in 2015, Queen pays homage to China’s dynastic heritage, particularly the iconography of imperial femininity. In modern Chinese art, the reimagining of court figures serves not only as cultural reverence but also as a reflection on identity, power, and aesthetics. This portrait draws on centuries of imperial representation while positioning the subject as both historical and mythic—evoking national memory in a period of cultural renaissance and reflection.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The acrylic surface remains vivid and intact, with no evidence of flaking, discoloration, or surface abrasion. The canvas is well-stretched and presented in a clean, modern frame, ready for display in a private or institutional collection.

6. Artistic Significance
Queen is a striking testament to Xie Hongjun’s command of visual storytelling and his deft negotiation between tradition and innovation. The piece captures not only the grandeur of imperial China but also a contemporary fascination with cultural roots and identity. For collectors and curators interested in the intersection of Chinese heritage and modern aesthetics, this work represents a valuable and visually arresting contribution to the evolving narrative of contemporary Asian art.