Artwork Description

Title: Elegant Rhyme
Artist: Yu Jun
Date: n.d.
Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 24.8 x 14.6 in (63 x 37 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
This refined portrait by Yu Jun, Title:d Elegant Rhyme, captures a seated female figure rendered in delicate ink and watercolor. The subject gazes confidently at the viewer, her body posed with elegance and poise. Fine lines articulate her features and form, while the muted washes of color enhance the subtleties of skin tone, hair texture, and the shimmer of her dress and jewelry. The artist's masterful control of line and wash invites quiet contemplation of beauty and inner strength.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Yu Jun’s work bridges classical Chinese painting traditions with contemporary figurative stylization. His compositions recall the gongbi (工笔) style, where meticulous brushwork defines form, yet he departs from formality by adopting a freer, emotive approach to posture and character. Echoes of Western fashion illustration and modern realism subtly inform the piece, creating a cross-cultural dialogue between East and West.

3. Historical Context
This painting emerges from a broader movement in post-1980s Chinese contemporary art, in which portraiture has become a means of individual expression rather than ideological representation. The intimate, modern portrayal of femininity in Elegant Rhyme reflects a generational shift toward personal identity and aesthetic exploration. Yu Jun’s figures embody the changing roles and representations of women in modern Chinese society.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The artwork is in very good condition. The paper is clean and structurally sound with no visible foxing or creasing. The frame also remains in excellent condition, presenting the work professionally for exhibition or collection.

6. Artistic Significance
Elegant Rhyme is a quintessential example of Yu Jun’s sensitivity to form, femininity, and atmosphere. His fluid brushwork, combined with expressive anatomy and poised composition, contributes to a unique and collectible voice in contemporary Chinese portraiture. The piece would make a distinguished addition to any collection that appreciates the nuanced evolution of Chinese ink painting in the 21st century.