Chrysanthemums

Yan Wenliang was a pioneer in modern art education in China and is esteemed as one of the “Four Great Presidents” of modern Chinese art academies. Chrysanthemums was created during Yan’s mature period, when his explorations on nationalizing oil painting plumbed new depths and his artistic attainments reached new heights. In the painting, varying saturations of green form a translucent, airy background, while in the foreground, brilliant yellow chrysanthemums bloom in full splendour, their vase rendered with a lively clarity. This rare painting is one of only three Yan Wenliang floral still lifes accessible to the public today. The matte black hand-carved wooden frame was explicitly chosen by Yan, indicating the love and attention the artist paid to this work.