Artwork Description

Title:Color Wheel

Artist:
Yan Lei

Date:
2005

Medium:
Oil painting

Dimensions:
300 × 300 cm (118.1 × 118.1 in)

Artwork Identification:
This striking Color Wheel by Yan Lei presents a contemplative concentric design rendered in oil on canvas, measuring an impressive 300 by 300 centimeters. Unlike his more chromatic versions, this work features a refined gradient beginning with a light, near-white outer ring that gradually transitions inward through layers of pale gray, warm-toned taupe, and a halo of muted brownish-gold, culminating in a darker gray-black center tinged with soft lavender undertones. The transitions are seamless, producing a luminous, meditative atmosphere that emphasizes tonal harmony over color saturation.

Artistic Style and Influences:
Yan Lei’s minimalist abstraction in this Color Wheel recalls the optical meditations of artists such as Ad Reinhardt and Robert Irwin, while simultaneously maintaining a distinct philosophical underpinning grounded in East Asian aesthetics. The concentric structure and softened palette evoke the cyclical calm of a mandala or ink-wash landscape seen through an abstracted lens. This piece in particular moves away from vibrant color to explore the emotional subtleties of monochrome and warm-neutral interplay, revealing Yan’s precision in manipulating tone, light, and psychological space.

Historical Context:
Within the broader scope of Yan Lei’s oeuvre, this Color Wheel fits into a lineage of conceptual abstraction that questions the viewer’s sensory engagement. Created during an era in which overstimulation and visual overload dominate, the piece acts as a visual antidote—urging reflection and sensory deceleration. In the context of China’s rapidly evolving art scene, the work represents a nuanced counterpoint to more overtly political or narrative-driven painting, emphasizing purity of form and experiential depth instead.

Provenance and Authenticity:
The painting originates directly from the artist’s studio and has remained in a private collection since acquisition. Although not previously exhibited, the work is consistent with other authenticated Color Wheel variants produced by Yan Lei. Comparative studies can be made with examples held in institutional collections or documented in monographic publications. Additional provenance documentation can be provided upon request.

Condition and Conservation:
The work is in excellent condition with no structural or surface issues observed. The oil layers are stable and evenly applied, free of craquelure, scuffing, or discoloration. No conservation treatment is recommended at this time.

Artistic Significance:
This subtle and tonally rich Color Wheel underscores Yan Lei’s ongoing exploration of perception, emotional resonance, and chromatic restraint. It distinguishes itself through its quiet power and refined palette, standing apart from the artist’s more vividly hued variations. A masterclass in tonal modulation and conceptual clarity, the painting is a strong addition for collectors interested in the intersection of Eastern philosophy, minimalist aesthetics, and global contemporary abstraction.