Artwork Description

Title: River 2
Artist: He Wenjue (b. 1970)
Date: 2006
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 47.2 x 59 inches (120 x 150 cm)

Artwork Identification
River 2 is a compelling oil on canvas by Chinese contemporary artist He Wenjue, recognized for his evocative depictions of water as a metaphor for existential struggle. Measuring 120 by 150 centimeters, the composition features a solitary male figure immersed in a vast, undulating river, rendered in rich hues of green and blue. The surface texture and directional brushwork lend a sense of motion and immediacy to the scene, pulling the viewer into the physical and psychological experience of the swimmer.

Artistic Style and Influences
He Wenjue’s aesthetic draws from Chinese realist traditions while integrating contemporary sensibilities rooted in symbolic figuration. His focus on fluid environments suggests affinities with modern existential painters, yet his restrained palette and narrative minimalism mark a deeply personal visual vocabulary. The influence of Chinese ink painting is subtly visible in his atmospheric approach to space and his reverence for natural elements as carriers of meaning. His technique is notable for its balance of figurative clarity and emotive abstraction.

Historical Context
Created in the post-1990s period of rapid economic and technological transformation in China, River 2 encapsulates the tension between individual identity and collective upheaval. He Wenjue addresses themes of dislocation, internal conflict, and spiritual erosion—common among artists responding to the shifting values of a society caught between tradition and globalization. Water, in his work, becomes a potent symbol of change, instability, and psychological flux. The swimmer's form can be read as both a survivor and a seeker, navigating the current of modern existence.

Provenance and Authenticity
For information regarding the provenance and authenticity of this artwork, please contact the gallery directly. Authenticity certificates and provenance documentation are available upon request.

Condition and Conservation
The work is in very good condition, with no visible paint loss or structural damage. Minor surface wear consistent with age may be present upon close inspection. The canvas is taut and well-stretched. No known restoration has been undertaken. A professional condition report is available upon request.

Artistic Significance
He Wenjue occupies a distinct position within contemporary Chinese painting, particularly for his poetic approach to psychological and metaphysical themes. River 2 is exemplary of his mature style and thematic focus, offering a contemplative image that resonates with both Eastern philosophies and universal human concerns. His work has been recognized in provincial and national exhibitions, and his inclusion among Hunan Province’s top ten young artists in 2000 affirms his early critical acclaim. This piece stands as a poignant reflection of the human condition—evocative, introspective, and symbolically potent—making it a significant acquisition for collectors of 21st-century Chinese art.
2014 Poly autumn auction