Artwork Description

Title: Red-Elege for Love
Artist: Qiang Wang
Date: 2014
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 70.9 x 70.9 in (180 x 180 cm)

Artwork Identification
Red-Elege for Love is a striking oil on canvas created in 2014 by contemporary Chinese artist Qiang Wang. Measuring 180 x 180 cm (70.9 x 70.9 inches), the composition presents an opulent and intimate tableau: assorted pieces of jewelry—rings, necklaces, bracelets—are scattered across a richly textured red bed, complete with plush pillows and folds of fabric. The bed’s vivid crimson tone dominates the scene, enveloping the scattered objects in a sensuous, almost theatrical atmosphere.

Artistic Style and Influences
Wang’s work sits at the crossroads of hyperrealism and symbolic expressionism. His meticulous rendering of textures—silk, metal, and gem—demonstrates a mastery of surface illusion, while the saturated palette and deliberate placement of objects suggest emotional depth and narrative intention. This painting draws conceptual influence from vanitas traditions and the visual language of romantic symbolism. The bed becomes a psychological space, the red color echoing both desire and memory, while the jewelry may signify longing, loss, or the remnants of intimacy.

Historical Context
Created in the second decade of the 21st century, Red-Elege for Love resonates with themes of contemporary Chinese society: material aspiration, emotional transformation, and the personal within the political. In a time when notions of love and value are often entwined with consumer culture, Qiang Wang captures the fragility of sentiment and the permanence of objects. His approach reflects the influence of both European classical still life and Chinese narrative painting, reimagined in a domestic, modern setting.

Provenance and Authenticity
Please contact the gallery directly for provenance details and certificates of authenticity.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in excellent condition, with no visible signs of surface abrasion, craquelure, or pigment fading. The canvas is structurally sound, and the paint layers are stable and vibrant. It is recommended to frame the piece with museum-quality materials to ensure preservation.

Artistic Significance
Red-Elege for Love exemplifies Qiang Wang’s distinctive ability to translate personal sentiment into universally resonant visual form. Through lush realism and symbolic composition, the painting invites viewers to reflect on intimacy, memory, and emotional residue. Its emotional richness, technical rigor, and thematic depth make it a compelling addition to any collection of contemporary Chinese art.