Lot 32
  • 32

Chen Yifei 1946-2005

Estimate
7,000,000 - 9,000,000 HKD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Chen Yifei
  • Pipa
  • oil on canvas
  • 142.2 by 123.2cm
  • 56 by 48 1/2in
signed Chen Yifei and dated 1988 in the lower right
framed

Exhibited

Hammer Gallery New York, in Celebrating 60th Anniversary of Hammer Galleries 1928-1988, Chen Yefei Solo Exhibition, 1988

Literature

Chen Yefei Solo Exhibition, Hammer Gallery, New York, 1988, p.36

Condition

In a wooden frame, the work is in very good overall condition. There are spots of uneven varnish on the upper left corner which is visible from certain angles. Slightly dusty and can benefit from light cleaning to remove dust and lint. Added an additional coat of retouch varnish on top because of discolouration of varnish.
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Catalogue Note

Chen Yifei was one of the first Chinese artists to bridge the gap between the art of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and Western contemporary art.  Chen Yifei went to New York in 1980, leaving behind his secure position as the head of the Oil Painting Department at the Shanghai Painting Academy.  Throughout his artistic career, Chen Yifei was able to combine elements from his native country with the Western traditions of Realism and Impressionism.

Chen Yifei's works often reveal a nostalgic touch, especially those in which the interaction of classicism, purity, romance, and emotion prevails.  It touches the heart of the audience, as they witness Chen Yifei's romantic temperament and mastery of Realism between his skilfull brushstrokes.  His earlier aspirations in art were destroyed by the Cultural Revolution, yet this coincidently gave rise to his present realistic painting style.  At that time, Soviet Realism was the prevailing style and accordingly, Chen Yifei received technical training in the Realist tradition. 

 

 

Having achieved a seamless fusion of the Romantic with the Realist, Chen Yifei is among the few Chinese painters who have managed to establish a reputation in the West and have gained commercial success as well.  Art critic Hammer used to say that his paintings could "attain poeticism." American magazine Art News characterized his works as being "filled with dreariness and silence" and as a result, are "especially affecting." 

Painted in 1988, Pipa was painted during his time in New York City, and it was exhibited to celebrate Hammer Gallery's 60th Anniversary. The figure in the picture is a girl playing pipa.  Set against a dark background, she sits clad in a velvet robe of a beautiful blue colour.  Playing to amuse herself, the girl exudes an air of elegance and gentility. The dark background effectively creates a mysterious atmosphere.  

 

The velvet garment drapes off of the lady's shoulder and her flesh is revealed, alluding to female sexuality and seduction.   There is a hint of sadness in the lady's eyes, as if she is playing a melancholy tune.  Chen Yifei was adept at capturing the essence of human emotions, those particularly of women.  Chen conveys music through painting—deploying a Western painting style, he poetically renders a Chinese woman wrapped abundantly in a cultivated aura.