In the past decade, soaring prices for art has brought attention. Some will argue that this is necessary development in the appreciation of art, particularly in Asia, and I will not endeavor to agree or disagree with this. We should, however, consider the narrative behind each painting and artist than the price.
In Asia, there is an over-emphasis on the market value of art, and less on what lies behind the surface. Taking the artist Sanyu, Nude on Tapestry, painted in 1929, is one of Sanyu’s earliest oil paintings and certainly one of his most magnificent. This large painting fetches over USD 10 million in market nowadays. Beyond the allure and the market value, the model in this painting is Kiki of Montparnasse, an iconic figure of the early 20th century in Paris. In 1929, Sanyu just stayed in Europe for 8 years, and Kiki posed for him in the nude for this painting.
The painting itself allows us not only to understand the drawing, but it sheds light on the life and personality of Sanyu. It’s really difficult for us to imagine how hard of a Chinese background artist in the early 20th century to create the painting. Somehow it expresses a vision, a sentiment or a story of the artist. We, as viewers, can enjoy the art for its aesthetic value or for its particular resonance with our own lives.
