Art Auction, Hong Kong

The Evolution of Sanyu’s Iconic Nude Paintings

Sanyu’s profound fascination with the female form is evident in his extensive portfolio of 1,635 figure studies, with a rare 56 oils dedicated to nudes. Despite his prolific output, these nudes remain an elusive and precious aspect of his work.

In the 1920s, settling in Paris, Sanyu embraced the Western tradition of life drawing at l’Académie de la Grande Chaumière. Using ink for rapid sketches, he transformed the nude into an expressive subject in his own distinct style. By the 1930s, Sanyu developed a color palette of black, white, and pink, blending Western techniques with his traditional Chinese roots.

The 1940s marked a darker, more somber period in Sanyu’s life, as he faced financial hardships. Yet even in these difficult years, his work retained an emotional depth, capturing the quiet reflections of post-war France.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Sanyu entered a transformative phase in his career, merging minimalist influences with bold experimentation. After returning to Paris in 1950, he applied his newfound expertise in lacquering and furniture design to his art, notably in works like Reclining Nude, with Raised Knee II. His unique use of varnish as an additional color gave the female form a smooth, glossy finish, reminiscent of classical Chinese painting techniques. With fluid, decisive lines and lacquer-like textures, Sanyu captured both movement and energy in his distinctive nude compositions.

Liu Ye – Mondrian, Hello, 2002
acrylic on canvas, 60 x 45 cm.
Estimate: HK$6,000,000 – 9,000,000/
US$769,000 – 1,150,000

Sanyu’s mastery shines through in his 1950s Nude paintings, the pinnacle of his career and now the most coveted by collectors. As he declared shortly before his passing in 1966, “Finally, after a lifetime of being an artist, I now understand how to paint.” His Nude works continue to set records, with his two highest auction sales coming from this iconic period.