羅中立

款識：
luo zhongli 羅 1991（右下）

林少明教授舊藏

〈大陸美術全集1：羅中立〉藝術家出版社出版，台北，一九九二年，封面，圖版六十八，一百一十四頁，彩圖

This work is in overall very good condition. There are hairline craquelures scattered along the edges, which can also be seen on the lamp on the table, on the man's right hand and his back. UV light examination reveals that this work has been restored and varnished.
"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."

卻話巴山夜雨時

羅中立的藝術歷程，始於四川美術學院的寫實訓練。然而寫實主義並不代表純粹的複製現實，當中具有廣闊的發揮空間，藝術家自1984年留學比利時以來，即拓展了對於現代藝術各派之理解，並在歸國以後潛心於原始樸素的大巴山創作，開創出煥然一新的風格。在《巴山夜雨－洞房夜》中，羅中立脫離了曾經讓他名揚畫壇的超級寫實主義，改以原始主義與超現實主義為催化劑，塑造全然屬於自己的個性化語言。「巴山夜雨」出自唐代詩人李商隱《夜雨寄北》：「君問歸期未有期，巴山夜雨漲秋池，何當共剪西窗燭，卻話巴山夜雨時。」當中寄託了自己對妻子的悠悠深情，而在本作，藝術家似欲對唐詩經典作出現代化的視覺演繹：在一場巴山夜雨中秉燭相視的，不再是古老相傳中溫文儒雅的才子佳人，而是一對現實生活裡樸實憨厚的新婚夫婦。雖無才子佳人的衣裳，兩人玉帛相見，卻不減真摯情感。男子推閣樓掀門，探頭而入，以堅定目光仰視妻子，似在承諾對於未來的一切擔當；妻子安坐床上，表情平靜如水，似乎已經準備好面對這位丈夫，以及他帶來的未知的未來。藝術家以一盞油燈點亮畫面，象徵畫中兩人的世界之誕生，新郎新娘的眼睛被誇張放大，單純而黑白分明，突顯他們的簡單純潔，造就一個富於理想色彩的鄉村的童話。

本作出自新加坡名醫林少明教授（Professor Arthur Lim）舊藏。林教授1934年生於香港，是立足新加坡的世界級眼科醫生，對於奠定新加坡的醫療制度卓有貢獻，更自1986年起在中國展開大規模的白內障復明工作，被譽為「播撒光明的天使」；除此之外，他更是獨具慧眼的藝術鑒賞家和收藏家，他曾經說過：「只要你熱愛藝術，便是處於天上人間。」（If you love art, you are in the heaven on earth），《巴山夜雨－洞房夜》所傳遞的真摯情感，正好呼應原藏家的收藏感悟。