Artwork Description

Title: Woman Holding a Ferret
Artist: Xie Yongsheng (解永生)
Date: 2017
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 59.1 x 39.4 in (150 x 100 cm)

Artwork Identification
Woman Holding a Ferret by Xie Yongsheng is a playful, stylized reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Lady with an Ermine. Rendered in a cartoonish, doll-like fashion, the woman’s exaggerated eyes and porcelain-like complexion inject a whimsical surrealism into this otherwise historically inspired portrait. The ferret (or ermine) remains as a symbolic centerpiece, linking the work to its Renaissance reference.

Artistic Style and Influences
Xie Yongsheng fuses classical motifs with contemporary pop surrealism. His work often blurs the boundary between historical reference and modern visual culture—here, the softened textures and simplified forms evoke lowbrow or vinyl toy aesthetics, reminiscent of Mark Ryden or Yoshitomo Nara. Xie’s technique reflects a deep command of oil painting traditions, yet his playful subversion of canonical imagery situates him within the current of postmodern Chinese art.

Historical Context
Born in 1961 in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, Xie Yongsheng has pursued an eclectic path. With roots in martial arts, his evolution into a painter reflects a deeply personal journey through form, discipline, and expression. His participation in exhibitions such as the Jiangsu Youth Art Exhibition (1996), the Lushan International Art Festival in Korea (2006), and shows in Beijing (2008) has marked him as a consistent, if underrecognized, figure in the contemporary Chinese art scene.

Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition, with no visible signs of cracking, fading, or structural damage. The canvas is taut and well-stretched, and the surface has been preserved with care, making it well-suited for display or collection.

Artistic Significance
Woman Holding a Ferret is emblematic of Xie Yongsheng’s approach—recontextualizing classical art within a playful, cartoon-like visual language that challenges conventional reverence. The piece serves as both homage and critique, reflecting the artist’s nuanced engagement with Western art history while filtering it through the lens of modern East Asian visual culture. This tension between old and new, serious and whimsical, imbues Xie’s work with cultural resonance and visual charm.