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Lot Essay
Lin Fengmian was known for his exceptional skill in painting portraits of women, representing a significant portion of his oeuvre. These captivating portraits captured the multifaceted nature of his subjects, often depicted wearing classic Chinese costumes or assuming roles as protagonists in Chinese opera. Whether seated, standing, contemplating, combing their hair, or playing the qin, the women portrayed by Lin exhibited a diverse range of emotions and activities. Most of his portraits feature a single figure; occasionally, he would compose scenes from Chinese opera with two figures. Portraits featuring four female figures are a true rarity among Lin Fengmian’s work. Historically, only two versions are known to exist—the first originated from the YC Gallery Collection (Ciquan Tang), while the second was captured in a photograph by the renowned Hong Kong photographer Chan Chik (fig) in the artist’s residence. Both works were sold in auctions in Hong Kong in the mid-2000s.
With an impeccable provenance that traces its acquisition directly from Lin Fengmian by Dr C B Wong, The Four Beauties presents an invaluable opportunity for collectors to witness and appreciate a remarkably rare and exquisite masterpiece by the artist. In this painting, the four female figures stand side-by-side within a square composition, adorned in delicate and pastel-coloured traditional dresses. Lin Fengmian skillfully portrayed their poses with subtle variations, infusing the painting with a sense of movement and dynamism. The figures’ collective gaze converges towards the centre, captivating the audience’s attention. Lin paid meticulous attention to the background, embellishing it with vibrant and diverse patterns and a lamp, lending depth to the overall composition. It is worth noting that Lin Fengmian’s portraits featuring multiple figures emerged only towards the end of the 1970s after his relocation to Hong Kong. This creative breakthrough may have been influenced by the new and stimulating environment. Compared to the two previous examples that surfaced in the auction market nearly twenty years ago, the present work stands out not only for its exceptional quality in brushwork, colour and the richness of the composition but also for its provenance and a witness to the collector’s encounter with the artist.
With an impeccable provenance that traces its acquisition directly from Lin Fengmian by Dr C B Wong, The Four Beauties presents an invaluable opportunity for collectors to witness and appreciate a remarkably rare and exquisite masterpiece by the artist. In this painting, the four female figures stand side-by-side within a square composition, adorned in delicate and pastel-coloured traditional dresses. Lin Fengmian skillfully portrayed their poses with subtle variations, infusing the painting with a sense of movement and dynamism. The figures’ collective gaze converges towards the centre, captivating the audience’s attention. Lin paid meticulous attention to the background, embellishing it with vibrant and diverse patterns and a lamp, lending depth to the overall composition. It is worth noting that Lin Fengmian’s portraits featuring multiple figures emerged only towards the end of the 1970s after his relocation to Hong Kong. This creative breakthrough may have been influenced by the new and stimulating environment. Compared to the two previous examples that surfaced in the auction market nearly twenty years ago, the present work stands out not only for its exceptional quality in brushwork, colour and the richness of the composition but also for its provenance and a witness to the collector’s encounter with the artist.