PROVENANCE:

ILLUSTRATED:

The "Autumn Forest" was created by Lin Fengmian from 1950's to 1960's, during which Lin Fengmian's economic conditions got better, participated in the National Cultural Congress twice, took up the post of vice chairman of Shanghai Artist Association and launched personal exhibition in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, of his first time. Having turned his depression into lucidity and joviality since the beginning of 1950's, Lin Fengmian created a batch of autumn scenery series with splendid tune as the leading tune. Of course, except for that, he also created some works with other styles and hues; the painting Autumn Forest with a dignified style was just created in this period. Since the late 1950's, Lin Fengmian started to be fond of autumn scenery depiction more and more, not only the red leaves in autumn, banks, villages, farmhouses, etc. but also diversifying change of color and light. In view of Lang Shaojun, autumn scenery, autumn ducks and West Lake series are the most distinctive and inspirational works among the landscape paintings in Lin Fengmian's mature period.

In "Autumn Forest", what Lin Fengmian depicted was an autumn view on plain instead of mountains and water in autumn. We can feel the strength of autumn from the tall and straight limbs, yellow leaves and red leaves forming a sharpcut contrast against the plain white sky. Contrast between ink, pure vermillion and pure middle yellow, so glamorous, presents indescribable strength. Hue and natural light of the entire painting gives emphasis on the whole scene in stead of lines, reflecting a character related to western paintings. However, its keynote is still Chinese paintings, meanwhile, its artistic conception inheriting traditional paintings, reflecting Lin Fengmian's creation style integrating Chinese style with the Western and demonstrating out national tradition.