Artwork Description

Title: Dawn
Artist: Jan Chin-Shui
Date: n.d.
Medium: Oil
Dimensions: 45.7 x 35.8 in (116 x 91 cm)

1. Artwork Identification:
Dawn is a striking oil painting by Taiwanese artist Jan Chin-Shui, in which vast bands of earthy ochre, crimson, and slate gray intersect with sweeping brushstrokes to evoke a mountainous terrain awakening under the light of a new day. The composition blends the grandeur of natural topography with abstracted forms, suggesting both geological monumentality and poetic serenity.

2. Artistic Style and Influences:
Jan Chin-Shui’s work draws inspiration from traditional Chinese ink landscape painting while employing the tactile richness of oil paint. His style bridges classical Eastern aesthetics with modern abstraction, eschewing fine details in favor of atmospheric expanses and elemental movement. The Zen-like stillness and expressive gestures evoke both spiritual reflection and the dynamic rhythms of nature.

3. Historical Context:
Born in 1953 and trained in Taiwan’s academic tradition of Western painting, Chin-Shui became a pivotal figure in integrating Taiwanese cultural identity into contemporary landscape painting. His participation in the 1989 École des Beaux-Arts exchange and his recognition with a National Gold Medal mark him as an artist deeply attuned to both global and local dialogues. His work channels Hakka heritage through a modern visual language.

4. Provenance:
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation:
The artwork is in very good condition. The canvas and paint layers are stable, and the surface displays no signs of damage, abrasion, or restoration. Colors remain vibrant and structurally sound.

6. Artistic Significance:
Dawn exemplifies Chin-Shui’s masterful balance of introspection and scale. The painting is not only a meditation on landscape but also an embodiment of cultural memory and spiritual clarity. It stands as a prime example of Jan Chin-Shui’s mature style—rooted in tradition, yet refreshingly contemporary—making it a distinguished addition to any collection focused on modern Asian art or lyrical abstraction.