Artwork Description

Title: Pure
Artist: Ren Jianhui
Date: 2001
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 33.9 x 26.4 in (86 x 67 cm)

Artwork Identification
Pure is an evocative oil painting by Ren Jianhui that captures a seated nude figure nestled within a lush, expressionistic garden. The composition is infused with warmth and intimacy, with the figure’s soft, contemplative expression emerging gently from a field of vibrant, dappled color.

Artistic Style and Influences
Ren Jianhui’s brushwork is spontaneous yet deliberate, blending figurative realism with an abstracted, almost impressionistic approach to color and texture. His training under Wu Guanzhong is evident in the bold use of expressive chromatic layers and the poetic tension between form and ground. The contrast of delicate skin tones against the wild vibrancy of the background emphasizes both vulnerability and vitality.

Historical Context
Painted in 2001, Pure reflects a period in Ren’s oeuvre where introspection and emotional nuance were foregrounded through his depictions of solitary female nudes. The early 2000s marked a shift in Chinese contemporary art towards a more intimate, subjective mode of expression—an atmosphere that Ren engaged with through painterly explorations of identity, beauty, and emotion.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition with no signs of paint loss, flaking, or structural damage. The surface remains stable and well preserved.

Artistic Significance
Pure stands as a lyrical testament to Ren Jianhui’s mastery in portraying inner stillness and sensual immediacy. The artist’s ability to blend the nude form seamlessly into a riot of gestural color speaks to a deep understanding of both the physical and metaphysical aspects of painting. This piece underscores his prominent role in shaping post-1990s figurative abstraction in East Asian contemporary art.