


Wang Yidong was born in the Yimeng area of Shandong province in 1955. He received a degree from the Fine Arts Department of Shandong Art School in 1975 and then had his graduate studies interrupted by the Cultural Revolution. In 1982, however, he graduated from the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing and became a teacher in the Oil Painting Department. His work has been exhibited worldwide from France to Japan, New York to Hong Kong, Canada to Italy, and in countless shows throughout China. He was one of six artists invited to America by Robert A. Hefner III for the opening of the Harkness House Exhibition in New York in April of 1987. Following that show, he lived in Oklahoma for one year, but the need to paint the subjects closest to him sent him home to China. He is currently an associate professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing and a member of the Chinese Artists’ Association. In 2004, Wang Yidong also co-founded the China Realism group and has been active in organizing exhibitions and publications of their work.
South China Woman, 1988
Oil on Canvas
24" x 20" (60.9cm x 50.8cm)About this work
Wang Yidong says of his painting, “South China Woman,” that he was attempting to combine an ancient Chinese style called Fantasy, which is very precise, with the early style of Renaissance painting. Of the model for this work, he says that he was traveling in Southern China with a few of his students and wanted to do a demonstration when he found this subject. He has selectively placed her in front of a well-known Chinese mural which serves as a monochromatic backdrop, in contrast to the bright colors of her clothing. This simple portrait becomes a classically beautiful study, no matter what culture it represents.
Portrait of Young Man, 1986
Oil on Board
24" x 19" (60.9cm x 48.3cm)About this work
Wang Yidong acknowledges that he has been inspired by the lighting in paintings by Rembrandt and that when he came across this young man in a small country village he somehow felt that his face would be good for a classical study like Rembrandt’s.
Profile of Old Man (Uncle Liu), 1986
Oil on Board
23" x 18" (58.4cm x 45.7cm)About this work
This portrait was made at the same time as “Profile of A Young Man” because the subject was found in the same small village as the younger man. Wang Yidong acknowledges that he has been inspired by the lighting in paintings by Rembrandt and that when he came across the subjects, he somehow felt that their faces would be good for such classical studies. The hard light scuplts the figure set against an almost black background.