EXHIBITED:

Experience of Passage: The Paintings of Yun Gee and Li-lan, Lin & Keng Gallery, Beijing, Nov. 15-Dec. 16, 2008

This painting is to be sold with a certificate of authenticity issued by Lin & Keng Gallery, Taipei.

As well as creating street scenes and park views, Yun Gee often composed portraits, often depicting his relatives, friends and acquaintances, sometimes self-portraits, and sometimes historical figures such as Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and some superior imperial concubines. Around 1940 he produced portraits of naked women.

Drawn with smooth and steady lines, "The Portrait of Miss Allen" captures the charm of a young lady by carefully depicting her eyes, nose and mouth. The shape of the woman is so integrated with the setting that it gradually seems to have disappeared, leaving only the soul of the painting. Deeply attracted by the rich colors at first sight, the viewer comes to discover the soul in the figure and finally forgets all about the colors as his thoughts grope with the tender part of the heart. Usually, Yun Gee's portraits depict a lonely soul with a light, misty touch, which is a true portrayal of the painter's arduous life.