S. Chan, Chinese Gentleman Portrait, Mid-Century, Oil Painting

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A striking and atmospheric mid-20th-century oil portrait depicting an elderly chinese gentleman, sensitively rendered in three-quarter profile beneath a traditional … Read more A striking and atmospheric mid-20th-century oil portrait depicting an elderly chinese gentleman, sensitively rendered in three-quarter profile beneath a traditional woven straw hat. The sitter is portrayed with remarkable character, his expressive face and long beard emerging dramatically from the deep green background. Particularly effective is the artist’s treatment of light, which falls across the face and hat in warm golden tones while much of the figure remains enveloped in shadow. Executed with confident, painterly brushwork, the portrait combines careful observation with an expressive approach to colour. Rich greens, ochres and golden yellows create a distinctive tonal harmony and lend the work considerable visual depth. The painting bears a visible “s. Chan” signature to the lower left. Its handling and subject reflect the influence of mid-century chinese and asian portraiture, although the precise identity of the artist has not been established. Painted in oil on canvas and presented within a substantial carved wooden frame with a contrasting inner border, the work has excellent decorative presence and is ready for display. A compelling character study with particular appeal to collectors of asian art, mid-century portraiture and figurative oil paintings. Artist signed “s. Chan” material / medium oil on canvas, framed measurements height: 59 cm / 23.2 in width: 49 cm / 19.3 in depth: approx. 5 cm / 2 in period mid-20th century, circa 1940s–1960s See less