Thinking of History from My Space

In 1991, Christie's auctioned his "Lingering Melodies From the Xunyang River" for US$176,282 - then the highest price for a Chinese oil painting at auction. The work is a scene from ancient Chinese folklore, in which the music of three phantom women soothes a depressed man.

Chen had a strong sentimental connection to the natural scenery of the various countries he lived in or visited, as well as to the city of Shanghai, where he grew up. He painted realistic portraits and impressionistic scenery. His portraits included Western musicians playing modern instruments, Chinese musicians playing traditional instruments such as the pipa (lute), minstrels in medieval garb, Tibetan villagers, and ballet dancers. His landscapes extend from Venice in Italy to the canals of his native Zhejiang Province.

The most fascinating part of his career was his attempt to combine the elements from his native country with the Western traditions of both realism and impressionism.

One example of how Chen Yifei combined Chinese and Western elements can be found in his painting Poppy. The title is that of an evening song by the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Bo Zhuyi, which expresses the emotions of a young woman sadly pondering the uncertainty of the future. The figure of the woman, however, has the stable structure of an ancient Greek sculpture.

Another example is Soirée, which depicts Chinese musicians in traditional garb but conveys a Western "carpe diem" (enjoy the present) atmosphere. Whatever the theme and the style, the common aesthetic link behind all of Chen Yifei's work is a commitment to beauty. In the words of Lawrence Wu, Chen's paintings are "exquisite yet dignified; elegant and refined yet have heroic bearing."

Author: Jessie

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