The Violinist is a significant piece of work by Jin Shangyi during his exploration in portrait paintings, which marks his breakthrough from portrait drawing to the expression of his own aesthetic aspirations in a complete scene with consciousness of creation, aesthetics and style. After a recovery of up to six years, Jin ushered a new chapter in rediscovering the charm of oil paintings.

This painting presents the image of a gentle and elegant Chinese musician. The woman in solemn black turns her face slightly to the left and holds the bow with both hands. Without any performance scenes or techniques depicted or bright colors applied but simply concisely outlined pose and settings, the exquisite painting vividly unveils the profound and restrained charm of the musician like a piece of soft country music. As for the use of color, against the light gray and warm brown background, the black clothes of the woman are painted in a cold tone of blue and purple, complemented by the simple gray-green tablecloth to create a hue of serenity, deepness and grace. The face and hands of the woman are depicted with great delicacy in balanced tones of coldness and warmth to the full revelation of the heroine’s soberness, purity and elegance.

Undoubtedly, The Violinist is a beautiful and typical incarnation of the young educated Chinese women in the early days of reform and opening up. Jin Shangyi’s work reveals the tireless exploration into art languages of an artist. Drawing on the art language with strong and true feelings, the artist, with his subtle and unique expression, presents the ideal beauty in life to the audience through his creation and responds to the topic of the times on “human”.

(Edited by Li Hanning & Yang Zhige, 2021)