Artwork Description

Title: One of the Body Sketches
Artist: Shaoli Chen
Date: 2016
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.3 in (30 x 24 cm)

Artwork Identification:
In this small yet evocative composition, a nude woman reclines thoughtfully on a draped sofa, holding a round pink fan. A white cat sits at her feet, and a subtle mural of birds and blossoms decorates the muted grey wall behind her. With its restrained palette and elegant detailing, this introspective work captures a quiet, contemplative mood, emphasizing the subject’s psychological presence as much as her form.

Artistic Style and Influences:
Shaoli Chen continues his distinctive fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions, channeling classical Chinese aesthetics through the medium of oil painting. The decorative flatness of the background elements alludes to traditional Chinese scroll painting, while the figure's modeling and the textural play of fabrics demonstrate his command of Western academic techniques. The work’s intimacy and symbolism reflect Chen’s sensitive engagement with feminine beauty and cultural memory.

Historical Context:
Shaoli Chen, born in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province in 1950, is a distinguished professor and master tutor at Nanjing University of the Arts. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in oil painting in 1976 and a master’s degree in Arts in 1989. As a member of the China Artists Association and the executive director of the Jiangsu Oil Painting Society, Chen is a prominent figure in contemporary Chinese art. His work exemplifies the evolving dialogue between classical heritage and modern visual language.

Provenance:
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation:
This painting is in very good. The canvas is stable, and the surface retains its original vibrancy and texture. It is professionally framed and has been stored in a controlled environment.

Artistic Significance:
Despite its modest scale, One of the Body Sketches exemplifies Shaoli Chen’s ongoing exploration of the female form as a vessel of poetic and philosophical expression. With its subtle elegance and compositional harmony, the work stands as a refined study in mood, material, and meaning—ideal for collectors seeking a more intimate example of Chen’s refined artistry.