席德進

款識：
Shiy De Jinn 席德進 1957（右上）

倫敦南肯辛頓佳士得拍賣會（二〇〇三年十一月十四日，拍品編號二百七十八）

〈席德進畫展〉華美協進社台灣分社，台北，一九五七年五月八日至十三日

This work is in very good condition. There are slight undulations towards the bottom edge, with artist pinholes in the four corners, along with scattered spots of foxing, which are inherent to the aging process.
"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."

1948年，25歲的席德進以全校第一名畢業於杭州國立藝專。當時中國正處顛沛流離的動盪階段，出身四川南部縣富農家庭的他，在該年毅然決然地離開家鄉，渡海到台灣。他在台居住逾30年，這塊土地，就像他的第二故鄉，滋養他的創作。他以水彩寫生，踏遍島嶼南北，描繪令他心動的山川自然、風土人文。他對創作的投入與自身的才華，使他在1950年代初期即於華人藝壇展露頭角。如前國立歷史博物館館長黃光男曾說：「席德進強烈的企圖心與對繪畫狂熱的精神，很快的讓他在國內藝壇占有一席之地，為當時青年畫家中傑出而頂尖者。」

完成於1957年的《初心》作品中，席德進以果決的墨黑線條、乾淨俐落的筆法，配合輕快、鮮明的用色，於前景勾勒出一個剛採完農作，正在木椅上休憩的小孩。濃眉大眼、五官清秀的他，小小年紀已能在農忙時節穿著工作服分擔家務；而其腳邊由竹條細細編織的竹簍，指涉著民間獨特的工藝文化。在背景處，見一背馱著孩子的婦女；門樓邊貼著提有「文仁中取」字樣的門聯，再再流露傳統儒家質樸的智慧與傳承。作者將對一時代農村生活的細膩觀察，自然地展現於作品中。

創作《初心》時，席德進年值34歲，離鄉恰逢第10年，其間他未曾回返過他世代務農的四川老家，他或藉著創作，緬懷兒時在家幫忙農作，那樸實無華的純真時光，並勉勵自己永遠保持那份童真、純摯的初心，投入世界的懷抱，在創作之路上盡情地探索、自由地飛翔。