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ZHANG XIAOGANG (b. 1958)

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<div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div> <div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining <em>Bloodline: Big Family series</em>, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.</font></div> <br> <br><div> </div> <br> <br><div><font face=Aptos size=3 color=black>Zhang's portraits, such as "<em>Portrait of a Boy</em>," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.</font></div>
Portrait of a Boy200439 3/8 x 31 5/8 in.(100.01 x 80.33 cm) oil on canvas
Provenance
Private Collection, purchased from Artist Studio, early 2000’s
 Price250,000
Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Xiaogang is renowned for his portraits that explore themes of memory, identity, and the collective experiences shaped by China's socio-political history. When China's art scene shifted toward deeper introspection following the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, Zhang sought a modern artistic language to express personal and historical narratives. His breakthrough arrived with the era-defining Bloodline: Big Family series, inspired by old family photographs, which became central to his work.


 


Zhang's portraits, such as "Portrait of a Boy," bear the influence of Gerhard Richter's 1960s photo paintings, particularly in the soft, contour-dissolving technique. Yet, Zhang magnifies this effect by dramatically enlarging his postcard-sized source photographs into monumental works that deepen the emotional resonance of his subjects. The style is hauntingly ethereal, with its softened contours and muted palette evoking emotional distance and suppressed tension, an isolated figure suspended between memory and reality. A faint red discharge emanates from the corner of the mouth, trailing over the chin and neck, symbolizing the inescapable ties of family bloodlines. Given Zhang's personal experiences during the Cultural Revolution, this red mark seems to carry the weight of personal and collective struggle, adding a layer of political commentary to his otherwise introspective work. Through these subtle but poignant symbols, Zhang Xiaogang remains a vital voice in contemporary art, addressing the intersections of personal identity and national trauma.
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