Still Life
Sa Dji
1985
- Year：1985
- Medium：Oil on board
- Dimensions：45 × 60 cm
Introduction
Sa Dji (Sha Qi) is celebrated as the “Van Gogh of China.” Embodied in his mission of “art for the nation,” he studied in Europe while immersing himself in Western oil painting traditions, from Classicism to Post-Impressionism. Driven back to China by mental illness, he turned years of suffering and exploration into a distinctive artistic style. In 1985, seeking both recovery and inspiration, Sa Dji travelled extensively, producing a large number of landscapes and still lifes. This Still Life was created during this period. The heavy colours and textured surfaces, shaped with a palette knife, reflect his fusion of classical techniques with Post-Impressionist sensibilities. The interlacing lines within the bouquet convey a vigorous, restless vitality in visual form, revealing the unique and intriguing character of his art.
