Artwork Description

Title: The Cart of Pigs
Artist: Shaozhi Bian
Date: Undated
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 37.4 × 43.31 in (95 × 110 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
The Cart of Pigs by Shaozhi Bian is an evocative oil painting measuring 95 × 110 cm. The composition portrays pigs confined within a narrow, dimly lit enclosure, visually segmented by a strong horizontal division that bisects the canvas into two distinct planes. This structured division intensifies the sense of confinement, creating a dramatic interplay between form, space, and shadow.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Executed in a somber, naturalistic palette, the painting reflects influences of Social Realism with a psychological undertone, moving beyond a simple depiction of rural life to address themes of containment and vulnerability. The compressed space and stark lighting evoke comparisons to Francis Bacon’s existential intensity while retaining a documentary honesty reminiscent of 20th-century realist traditions.

3. Historical Context
The subject matter resonates with broader cultural narratives concerning survival, commodification, and the human-animal relationship in agrarian and industrial contexts. In contemporary Chinese art, such scenes often serve as metaphors for systemic structures, restriction, and the tension between tradition and modernization—ideas that underpin much of Bian’s oeuvre.

4. Provenance and Authenticity
For detailed provenance information and a certificate of authenticity, please contact the gallery directly.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition. The surface shows no evidence of damage, restoration, or discoloration. Subtle tonal variations and impasto details are characteristic of the artist’s original technique.

6. Artistic Significance
This work is a powerful meditation on enclosure and existential weight, distinguishing The Cart of Pigs as one of Bian’s most thematically charged compositions. Its spatial compression and emotive gravity mark it as an exceptional acquisition for collectors interested in works that blend figuration with conceptual depth.