Artwork Description

Title: Rural Girl
Artist: Shen Xinggong
Date: n.d.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 27.6 x 17.7 in (70 x 45 cm)

Artwork Identification
Rural Girl by Shen Xinggong is a contemplative oil portrait of a young woman in traditional rural attire, depicted with a calm and dignified presence. Set against a textured, dark background, the composition draws the viewer’s attention to her expression, costume, and posture—elements rendered with deliberate softness and restraint.

Artistic Style and Influences
Shen Xinggong is known for his classically rooted oil technique, combining realism with humanist sensitivity. This work reflects a painterly approach that emphasizes texture, earth tones, and the character of the subject. The subtle interplay of color and light gives emotional weight to the sitter, highlighting the artist’s nuanced understanding of portraiture.

Historical Context
Born in 1943 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, Shen Xinggong has contributed significantly to the development of modern Chinese oil painting. Having earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing University of the Arts, he later became vice president of the institution and was honored with a special government allowance in 1992. Rural Girl likely reflects his interest in documenting the lives of ordinary people in China during a period of social transformation, echoing the ideals of Chinese realism with individualized emotional depth.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in good condition, with stable pigment and no significant loss. Some minor surface wear is consistent with age but does not detract from the integrity of the work.

Artistic Significance
As a respected figure in Chinese academic art, Shen Xinggong’s portraits embody a bridge between traditional figuration and modern pedagogy. Rural Girl captures the quiet dignity of its subject and offers insight into the rural identity within the broader narrative of contemporary Chinese portraiture.