Artwork Description

Title: First Group Photo
Artist: Xinlin Jiang
Date: 2012
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 110.5 x 130 cm (43.5 x 51.2 in)

1. Artwork Identification
“First Group Photo” is a joyful oil painting by Chinese artist Xinlin Jiang, created in 2012. The composition presents four elderly women standing outdoors, arm in arm, smiling toward the viewer in what is suggested to be a commemorative group portrait. Each figure exudes a unique personality, unified by the warm tone of companionship.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Rendered in a realist style with a focus on expressive detail and character study, the work showcases Jiang’s sensitivity to human emotion and social context. The sunlit palette, textural garments, and background suggest both familiarity and spontaneity, drawing from both documentary realism and painterly tradition.

3. Historical Context
Set in a rural village landscape, this painting captures a poignant moment of shared history and community among elderly women. It evokes the cultural significance of photography and portraiture in marking milestones—particularly in China, where such group photographs can symbolize unity, memory, and dignity in age.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition, with a clean surface, stable paint layers, and no visible restorations. It has been professionally stored and maintained, retaining its original vibrancy and structural integrity.

6. Artistic Significance
“First Group Photo” is a heartfelt celebration of memory, friendship, and rural resilience. It embodies Xinlin Jiang’s enduring interest in portraying the overlooked moments of everyday life with grace and authenticity. This painting invites viewers to contemplate the emotional richness of shared experiences and the power of collective portraiture.