Artwork Description

Title: Sketch 1
Artist: Gao Huijun
Date: 2012
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 27.6 x 15.7 in (70 x 40 cm)

Artwork Identification:
This serene oil painting by Gao Huijun, Title:d Sketch 1, presents an ethereal mountain landscape shrouded in mist. Executed in subdued monochromatic tones, the work captures the quiet majesty of nature through intricate brushwork and tonal depth. The painting is elegantly framed, emphasizing its contemplative atmosphere.

Artistic Style and Influences:
Gao Huijun, also known by his style name Heshang, merges traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern painting practices. His landscapes, echoing the spirit of literati painters such as Mi Fu and Ni Zan, evoke timeless philosophical themes of stillness, solitude, and harmony with nature. In Sketch 1, the brushwork recalls classical ink traditions, yet rendered with the subtle translucency of oil.

Historical Context:
Born in 1966 in Baoding, Hebei Province, Gao Huijun was trained at the Central Institute of Arts and Crafts (now the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University). Since 1994, he has worked from the artist enclave of Songzhuang, contributing significantly to the region’s emergence as a center for contemporary Chinese art. His works reflect a meditative synthesis of past and present, anchoring ancient motifs in the language of contemporary oil painting.

Provenance:
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation:
The painting itself is in very good condition. There is a tear in the wooden backing panel of the frame (visible in the verso image), but this does not affect the integrity or display of the artwork.

Artistic Significance:
Sketch 1 exemplifies Gao Huijun’s mastery in evoking quietude and depth through minimalist composition. As a bridge between tradition and innovation, this piece is emblematic of the artist’s celebrated body of work and a compelling addition to any collection focused on Chinese contemporary landscape painting.