Artwork Description

Title: The Rain
Artist: Zhang Dali
Date: 2015
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 59.1 x 47.2 in (150 x 120 cm)

Artwork Identification
The Rain is a striking oil on canvas by Zhang Dali, measuring 150 by 120 cm. The composition captures an evocative scene where the artist’s mastery of texture and color convey a mood imbued with both immediacy and reflection. Executed with confident brushwork and layered tonalities, the painting invites viewers into a contemplative atmosphere, merging urban grit with poetic resonance.

Artistic Style and Influences
Zhang Dali’s artistic language integrates elements of socio-political commentary with a contemporary painting approach. His work is marked by an incisive engagement with urban realities and historical narratives, often incorporating figurative and abstract components. Drawing from his background as one of Beijing’s pioneering graffiti artists and his experience in multiple media, Zhang merges street art’s raw immediacy with the expressive potential of oil painting, reflecting influences from Western contemporary art and Chinese avant-garde traditions.

Historical Context
Emerging from the dynamic and often turbulent socio-political landscape of late 20th-century China, Zhang Dali’s oeuvre challenges prevailing narratives and probes identity, memory, and transformation. “The Rain” can be situated within this continuum, reflecting themes of change and resilience amid urban and cultural flux. The painting echoes the artist’s broader exploration of China’s rapid modernization and the tensions between tradition and progress.

Provenance and Authenticity
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is presented framed and in excellent condition, with a stable surface and vibrant coloration. There are no visible signs of restoration or damage. The frame is solid and complements the work’s scale and presentation.

Artistic Significance
“The Rain” epitomizes Zhang Dali’s unique position in contemporary Chinese art as a boundary-defying figure whose work bridges street art, political engagement, and fine art disciplines. This painting stands as a testament to his continued exploration of identity and urban transformation, reinforcing his stature as a globally significant artist whose works resonate both culturally and intellectually with collectors and institutions alike.