Author：Sanyu

Category：Western Painting

Material：Oil on board

Year：20th century

Size description：139(W) x 123 (L)

Accession Number：26888

Introduction："Flowers" (Accession No. 26888), in the collection of the National Museum of History, is a work by Sanyu (1895–1966). Against a yellow background, white gladioli are arranged in a transparent vase, evoking a exceptionally elegant and serene atmosphere. The gladioli radiate outward in all directions, while a small gray cat at the edge of the table quietly reaches a paw toward the vase. The cat's playful movement serves as a charming accent, bringing a touch of liveliness to the tranquil scene and leaving viewers anticipating the moment the vase might be tipped over.
Born in Shunqing (renamed Nanchong in 1935), Sichuan, China, Sanyu studied ink painting under his father in his hometown during his youth and later practiced calligraphy under master Zhao Xi (1867–1948). In 1921, he traveled to Paris under the "Work-Study Movement," becoming one of the early Chinese painters to pursue artistic creation in France. His oeuvre seamlessly integrates Chinese and Western aesthetic elements, often utilizing succinct yet powerful lines, forms, and contours to define a distinct personal style. Characterized by simplified forms and a pure color palette, his artistic legacy is chiefly defined by three recurring motifs: female nudes, floral compositions, and animals in landscapes.

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