Artwork Description

Title: Mountains by the Sea
Artist: Kang Wanhua
Date: n.d.
Medium: Oil
Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.3 in (4.6 x 3.4 cm)

Artwork Identification
Mountains by the Sea is a rare and poignant miniature oil painting by Kang Wanhua, a lesser-known yet profoundly significant figure in the narrative of Chinese contemporary art. The work, measuring just 4.6 by 3.4 cm, bursts with vibrant hues and bold brushstrokes. Though small in scale, its emotional depth and technical sophistication command attention. Presented in an elaborate black frame, the artwork stands as a testament to resistance and artistic perseverance.

Artistic Style and Influences
Rendered with expressive color contrasts and textured brushwork, this piece reflects Kang’s affinity with Western modernist styles such as Symbolism and Impressionism—movements that were virtually unknown in China during the late 1970s. Despite its miniature format, the swirling palette and compositional tension reveal a highly developed aesthetic vocabulary, bearing resemblance to the emotional intensity of Odilon Redon or early Gauguin.

Historical Context
Kang Wanhua (b. 1944) created over 400 miniature paintings while imprisoned as a political dissident from 1976 to 1979. This work, part of that hidden corpus, was painted in secret on small scraps of paper and smuggled out upon his release. His imprisonment during China’s Cultural Revolution-era purges adds deep historical resonance to his works, which document not only his inner world but also an era of profound repression and resilience.

Provenance
This artwork was painted clandestinely during Kang’s imprisonment and later smuggled out in volumes of world history books. Of the original 400+ works, only around 100 remain in the artist’s possession. Others were lost or sold abroad by acquaintances.
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition and has been professionally framed with archival materials. Its surface displays no significant wear, and the colors remain rich and vibrant despite the age and conditions of its creation.

Artistic Significance
This micro-painting embodies Kang Wanhua’s defiant creativity under extreme duress. While the artist later distanced himself from art-making, his prison-era works are invaluable historical and emotional artifacts. They bridge personal trauma and political critique, serving as miniature monuments to creative survival under authoritarianism. Mountains by the Sea not only marks a significant contribution to underground Chinese modernism, but also stands as a rare collectible from an artist whose legacy is only beginning to receive due recognition.