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Sanyu Collection

Reproductions of the Sanyu Collection

Sanyu’s charm lies in his mastery of Eastern calligraphy and painting techniques, as he captures the romance of Paris. He takes the supple brushwork from traditional Chinese painting and refines it into a simplified form. Then, he employs Western color palettes to express Eastern themes. This fusion of Eastern and Western styles may appear contradictory, but it gives rise to a captivating and harmonious spark of creativity.

This artwork features a harmonious color palette with red-brown antler branches, white flowers, dark ink-black leaves, and a brownish background. Below the branches, there is a bird looking down, seemingly teasing a small cat on the ground, while flying butterflies add a lively touch to the composition. What makes this piece special is the presence of the characters “Moon Gazing” , which seems to convey Sanyu’s deep yearning for his hometown.

Differing from the traditional portrayal of the female body, this piece employs a compressed technique, emphasizing exaggerated and powerful forms. The crossed legs accentuate the relationship between the two legs, with bold black lines delineating the golden-colored physique of the nude woman. Upon closer inspection, one can discern the voluptuous curves of the woman’s body, with her left hand supporting her head. Her nose and lips are subtly hinted at, and only half of her face is visible. This innovative approach demonstrates the artist’s interest in the theme of “sex.”

The vase in the painting exhibits a clean and elongated form, exuding a vibrant sense of rhythm. The branches within the vase are meticulously depicted with the brushwork of Chinese calligraphy, capturing their growth posture. The unique and antique shape of the vase is further enriched by the use of red on the tabletop, breaking the monotony of the color palette. The overall visual effect is elegant, dignified, and harmonious.

The artist employs color blocks to divide the painting into large sections, using blue for the sky and yellow for the ground. To alleviate the dull atmosphere of the sky, small blocks of sapphire blue are added to the sky, reducing the sense of monotony. Furthermore, the artist uses bright yellow to depict the foreground, and two leopards can be seen lazily resting on either side of the image, adding stability and a touch of whimsy. The painting is exceptionally simple, yet it subtly conveys a sense of mysterious solitude.

The composition of the artwork follows a diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right. The depiction of the figure is smooth and fluent, with the right half of the body, facing the audience, appearing much larger than the left half. Surprisingly, the area of the thighs exceeds that of the upper body, creating a somewhat exaggerated variation in the form. Although the black contour lines are bold and heavy, they still exhibit a fluid shift in thickness.

Horses frequently appear in Sanyu’s artworks, either in pairs or alone, often depicted in expansive open landscapes. It seems that these animals could represent a projection of the artist himself or evoke memories of his father, who was skilled at painting horses. In this particular artwork, we can see two horses, one black and one white, placed within a desolate and distant scene. The primary background consists of yellow earth and a pale beige sky, complemented by brownish distant mountains and nearby rocks to prevent the scene from becoming overly monotonous. In terms of composition, the artist employs a contrast between large and small elements, giving the artwork a subtle sense of emptiness and loneliness.

Blue Whale has obtained official authorization from the National History Museum to embed legendary artworks by the French-Chinese artist Sanyu in entrance fire doors and bedroom soundproof doors. This transforms doors into the focal point of the home. Doors can now be works of art, effortlessly merging art with everyday life to elevate the aesthetics of your home. It turns your home into an art gallery, providing a visual treat every time your family enters or exits.

Officially unveiled on 10/13/2023, the Blue Whale Door Sanyu Collection lets art become a part of daily life!

Blue Whale doors are equipped with top-notch features including soundproofing, fire resistance, smoke containment, smart technology, and security. They come with official reports for fire resistance and smoke containment, ensuring both aesthetic taste and residential safety.

Life should be this wonderful. Vive la vie!

In 1964, Sanyu was invited to teach at National Taiwan Normal University and to hold a solo exhibition. He had prepared to return to the East, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unable to do so.

As a result, the artworks intended for the exhibition were sent to the National History Museum and have since become one of the most important series in the museum’s collection. Other significant institutions that house Sanyu’s works include the Cernuschi Museum in Paris, among others.

Today, Sanyu is widely recognized as a master of modern Oriental art. In 2005, the Guimet National Museum of Asian Art in Paris held a large retrospective exhibition for Sanyu, further solidifying his international standing as an important member of the Paris School.

In 2020, Sanyu’s floral paintings reached record prices at auctions, with “Chrysanthemums in a Blue and White Pot” selling for HKD $191 million (approximately TWD $764 million) at Sotheby’s in July and “Blue and White Pot with Chrysanthemums” selling for HKD $187 million (approximately TWD $748 million) at Christie’s in October. In 2022, his rare horizontal painting “Red Vase with Branches” achieved the top spot at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, selling for HKD $86.69 million (approximately TWD $343 million).

Sanyu’s works consistently perform well in the auction market, showcasing the strong recognition and admiration from collectors for his artistic philosophy.