Sanyu (1895–1966), born Chang Yu in Sichuan, China, is celebrated as one of the most significant pioneers of Chinese modern art. A prominent member of the School of Paris (École de Paris), Sanyu’s work represents a profound bridge between Eastern calligraphy and Western modernism.
Arriving in Paris in 1921 as part of the "Work-Study" movement, Sanyu chose a path of bohemian freedom. Unlike many of his contemporaries who returned to China to lead art institutions, Sanyu stayed in Paris for the rest of his life. He refined his craft at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, where he developed a distinctive style that moved away from rigid academia toward a more fluid, personal expression.
Sanyu’s oeuvre centers on three iconic themes: Nudes, Florals, and Animals.
* Early Period (1920s–30s): His early works, often referred to as his "Pink Period," are characterized by delicate lines, romantic pink and white tones, and an airy, joyful atmosphere.
* Late Period (1950s–60s): Following his experiences in New York and his deepening nostalgia for his homeland, his later works evolved. They became more saturated with rich, Eastern colors, often featuring solitary animals in vast, dreamlike landscapes—a reflection of his own life as a perpetual traveler in a foreign land.
Although he faced solitude and hardship in his final years, Sanyu’s genius was rediscovered posthumously. Today, he is often called the "Matisse of the East." His legacy is preserved in major institutions worldwide, most notably the National Museum of History in Taipei, which holds a significant collection originally intended for a 1964 solo exhibition. Other prestigious collections can be found at the Cernuschi Museum in Paris and the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.
Sanyu is now a cornerstone of the global art market. His masterpieces, such as Potted Chrysanthemums and Leopard, have achieved record-breaking sales at Sotheby’s, reaching prices upwards of HK$80 million. His work remains a definitive chapter in the story of modernism, cherished by international collectors for its timeless elegance and cross-cultural depth.
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Sanyu (1895–1966), born Chang Yu in Sichuan, China, is celebrated as one of the most significant pioneers of Chinese modern art. A prominent member of the School of Paris (École de Paris), Sanyu’s work represents a profound bridge between Eastern calligraphy and Western modernism.
Arriving in Paris in 1921 as part of the "Work-Study" movement, Sanyu chose a path of bohemian freedom. Unlike many of his contemporaries who returned to China to lead art institutions, Sanyu stayed in Paris for the rest of his life. He refined his craft at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, where he developed a distinctive style that moved away from rigid academia toward a more fluid, personal expression.
Sanyu’s oeuvre centers on three iconic themes: Nudes, Florals, and Animals.
* Early Period (1920s–30s): His early works, often referred to as his "Pink Period," are characterized by delicate lines, romantic pink and white tones, and an airy, joyful atmosphere.
* Late Period (1950s–60s): Following his experiences in New York and his deepening nostalgia for his homeland, his later works evolved. They became more saturated with rich, Eastern colors, often featuring solitary animals in vast, dreamlike landscapes—a reflection of his own life as a perpetual traveler in a foreign land.
Although he faced solitude and hardship in his final years, Sanyu’s genius was rediscovered posthumously. Today, he is often called the "Matisse of the East." His legacy is preserved in major institutions worldwide, most notably the National Museum of History in Taipei, which holds a significant collection originally intended for a 1964 solo exhibition. Other prestigious collections can be found at the Cernuschi Museum in Paris and the National Art Museum of China in Beijing.
Sanyu is now a cornerstone of the global art market. His masterpieces, such as Potted Chrysanthemums and Leopard, have achieved record-breaking sales at Sotheby’s, reaching prices upwards of HK$80 million. His work remains a definitive chapter in the story of modernism, cherished by international collectors for its timeless elegance and cross-cultural depth.
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