Artwork Description

Title: Untitled
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: 2015
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 28.7 x 36.2 (73 x 92 cm)

Artwork Identification:
This elegant composition by Shaoli Chen presents a poised nude figure seated against a delicate tapestry of flowering branches and lively birds. The visual harmony of the figure with her natural surroundings evokes a contemplative stillness, as if suspended in time. Despite the contemporary nudity, the atmosphere remains reserved and serene, resonating with the traditional lyricism of Chinese literati painting.

Artistic Style and Influences:
Shaoli Chen’s synthesis of classical Chinese decorative aesthetics with Western figural painting is evident in this piece. The stylized birds and floral motifs draw directly from Song and Ming dynasty painting, while the nude figure is rendered in soft, academic oil technique. The effect is a graceful interplay of cultural codes, where East Asian scroll painting meets Renaissance-inspired portraiture.

Historical Context:
Chen's work exemplifies the broader movement within post-1970s Chinese oil painting, where academic realism and symbolic expression merge with classical Chinese themes. Born in 1950 and trained during a transformative era in Chinese art history, Chen's nuanced voice continues to resonate among scholars and collectors for its timeless yet subversive quality.

Provenance:
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation:
The painting is in very good. condition. Colors are vibrant, canvas is taut, and the ornate silver-toned frame is free from damage or wear.

Artistic Significance:
Untitled exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s subtle mastery of cross-cultural figuration. His subject’s refined expression and posture, combined with a rich natural setting, speak to Chen’s vision of quiet strength and introspection. This work would make a significant addition to any serious collection of Chinese contemporary art, especially for those drawn to the fusion of classical references and modern sensibility.