Yue Minjun

Private Collection, Beijing
Acquired by the present owner from the above

This work appears in excellent condition. There are no apparent condition problems with this work and no evidence of inpainting under UV light inspection. Framed in a dark wood frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

At first, the smile might seem like a simple cynical device, but as with many well-known cartoon characters, the facial expression never changes too much. Even when there's a smile, or a burst of anger, only a small, relevant part of the face moves. So when you are confronted by such a character, you are already trained to look beyond the features to the essence of the character, and the way you understand it to interact with the world. The actual drawing of the figure doesn't express much of this essence directly: "he" has to go out into the world and engage with his life. It's by seeing the stories he acts in, as they unfold, that we understand the attitude he encapsulates—or in truth, the attitude that the creator injects into his creation.
Yue Minjun