Artwork Description

Title: Girl
Artist: Xing Jianjian
Date: n.d.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 31.5 x 23.6 in. (80 x 60 cm)

1. Artwork Identification
Rendered in soft, luminous tones, Girl by Xing Jianjian presents a delicate and emotionally resonant portrait of a young woman. The face emerges tenderly from an ethereal veil of wispy lines and cherry blossom accents, creating a poetic interplay between figuration and abstraction. Executed in oil on canvas, the composition features a subtly blurred background, directing full attention to the woman’s serene yet expressive gaze. The surface is finely worked, reflecting the artist’s technical prowess and sensitivity to texture, particularly through the intricate depiction of hair interwoven with blossoms.

2. Artistic Style and Influences
Xing Jianjian is known for synthesizing classical realism with expressionism and symbolism, and Girl exemplifies this fusion. The emotive portrait captures not just the external likeness but the internal atmosphere of its subject—imbuing her with both vulnerability and timeless beauty. Echoes of Chinese ink painting are evident in the gestural linear elements, while the controlled palette and refined modeling demonstrate Western academic training. This stylistic hybridity places Xing’s work within the broader context of Chinese contemporary realism, infused with lyrical allegory and psychological nuance.

3. Historical Context
Created during a period of vibrant transformation in Chinese contemporary art, Girl reflects the post-1980s emergence of a generation of painters who sought to reconcile traditional aesthetics with modern sensibilities. Xing Jianjian, a graduate of the Nanjing University of the Arts in 1986 and now a respected professor there, belongs to this pivotal generation. His quiet, introspective imagery contrasts with the more overtly political or conceptual approaches of his contemporaries, offering instead a meditative, emotional resonance grounded in classical technique.

4. Provenance
Provenance documentation can be provided upon contact.

5. Condition and Conservation
The painting is in very good condition. There is minor, almost unnoticeable wear around the edges of the canvas, consistent with age and careful handling. The surface retains its original luminosity with no visible cracking, losses, or restoration. The pigment layers and detailing remain crisp and stable.

6. Artistic Significance
Xing Jianjian’s work is widely recognized and collected, having achieved auction records at major houses such as Poly and Sotheby’s. His ability to convey psychological complexity and ethereal beauty through meticulous technique has earned him a distinctive place in Chinese art. Girl stands as a quintessential example of his mature style—one that resonates with intimacy and poetic introspection. It is a valuable acquisition for collectors of Chinese contemporary portraiture and figurative painting, embodying the artist’s unique ability to render emotional depth through technical refinement.