Artwork Description

Title: Dream
Artist: Ren Jianhui
Date: 2002
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 35.8 × 26.4 in (91 × 67 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
In Dream, Ren Jianhui presents a hauntingly sensual oil painting that navigates the boundary between figuration and abstraction. The canvas features two nude female figures partially veiled in atmospheric strokes of ochre, teal, and burnt sienna, their bodies dissolving into a dreamlike haze. The composition evokes a reverie suspended in time, where the figures seem to emerge from—or recede into—a field of memory and emotion. Rendered with expressive brushwork and a subdued yet evocative palette, this work is emblematic of Ren's unique treatment of foreground and background.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Ren Jianhui’s semi-realistic technique fuses classical figuration with contemporary expressionism. A former student of the modern master Wu Guanzhong, Ren draws on his mentor’s emphasis on the union of Chinese brush sensibility and Western oil technique. In Dream, this synthesis manifests in the layered paint surface, where the figural elements are rendered with naturalistic finesse yet blurred by textured, abstract gestures. His work recalls the emotional intensity of Francis Bacon with a lyrical restraint more akin to Chinese literati traditions.

3. Historical Context
Completed in 2002, Dream reflects the shifting landscape of Chinese contemporary art in the early 21st century, a period marked by the integration of traditional aesthetic values with global contemporary influences. Ren, having taught in Singapore and trained in China, embodies this cultural hybridization. His paintings often speak to broader themes of identity, memory, and the unconscious—subjects that resonate within a generation of Chinese artists navigating the effects of modernization, diaspora, and the pull of artistic heritage.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The surface is stable, with no evidence of craquelure, discoloration, or structural damage to the canvas. The layered pigment retains its vibrancy and textured contrast. No restoration is apparent or required.

6. Artistic Significance
Ren Jianhui has earned international recognition for his contributions to semi-realist oil painting, including being named one of the "Top 60 Masters of International Contemporary Art" in 2013. Dream exemplifies his mature style—a poetic blend of figure and abstraction that reflects both technical mastery and philosophical inquiry. It stands as a testament to his ability to navigate the liminal space between form and feeling, making it a compelling acquisition for collectors of contemporary Asian art or lyrical figuration.