A Comparative Study on the Value of Chinese Oil Paintings.1

Author: Shi Daguang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-04-01
Features: Oil painting is a form of artistic expression that developed from tempera painting techniques around the 15th century in the West. It has a history of several hundred years of development in Europe. Oil painting technology arrived in China and was embraced by Chinese artists one year ago. Over the past century, Chinese oil painting has undergone a tortuous yet glorious exploration process under the efforts of five generations of artists (approximately divided by mentorship and age). It has not only formed a Chinese artistic school and produced a remarkable group of artists but also created timeless masterpieces with distinct characteristics of the era. Although Chinese oil painting has yet to match the achievements of European, American, and Russian oil paintings, it has survived through wars and hardships over this century, which in itself is deeply moving. It is heartbreaking that two generations of artists among these five were cut off from their artistic pursuits at the prime of their lives due to historical calamities, leaving them unable to achieve self-perfection. In summary, Chinese oil painting emerged at a time of significant transformation in Western oil painting traditions and developed amidst profound social changes in China. Its historical and artistic value is self-evident. The healthy development of oil painting creation and collection requires not only the technical skill and conscience of creators but also the financial support and continuity of merchants. More importantly, it demands the artistic cultivation, academic taste, and market insight of collectors. Therefore, this book compiles over a decade of development in the Chinese oil painting market for reference by readers and oil painting enthusiasts. The book is divided into two volumes, categorized by subject: the first volume focuses on figures and thematic creation, while the second volume focuses on still life and landscapes. It broadly showcases the trends in creation and collection of Chinese oil painting over the past century.