Chen Jialing

Private Collection, China

Generally in good condition overall.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A representative of the New Shanghai School of Chinese painting, Chen Jialing graduated from the Zhejiang Academy of Art where he studied figure painting under the tutelage of the esteemed artists Pan Tianshou and Lu Yanshao. He later shifted his focus towards the flower and bird genre, from which he created his distinctive and iconic Chen-style of painting. His work is imbued with an enduring quality that propels the viewer to reflect upon each intimate detail. This effect is achieved not only through the artist’s creative ideas, but benefits from the nature of ink on paper that imparts an element of uncertainty to the work. This set of four images portrays birds with autumn leaves, morning glories and sunflowers. Such portrayals may seem childish and unsophisticated at first glance, yet upon closer inspection, reveal his profound and unique interpretation of the interrelationship between brushstrokes, ink and paper. His artistic expression is not restrained by painting technique and convention; instead, it displays his love for the way colours naturally permeate and diffuse into paper.