Chen Yifei. Eulogy to the Yellow River. Oil on canvas, 1972. Image source: RasMarley. “Chen Yifei (1946-2005) – 1972 Eulogy of the Yellow River (Private Collection).” Flickr. September 05, 2013. Accessed January 29, 2019. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32357038@N08/9680204005.
This 1972 oil on canvas piece by Chen Yifei is titled, Eulogy to the Yellow River. Inspired by a poem written by Guang Weiran, it depicts a soldier of the red army standing on the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast, mountainous landscape through which a powerful river flows. A flock of geese can be seen flying over the river behind the soldier. With its large size of 297 cm by 143.5 cm, Yifei uses lots of color and detailed, expressive brush strokes to create a very realistic image.
This painting was made at a time when order was being restored to China after the Cultural Revolution. For years, China was in a state of near-anarchy, with students and young adults being called upon by Mao to overthrow many teachers and party leaders to extinguish their old ways of thought and propel the party forward once again. This put China into chaos for years, with many people hoping for the arrival of a better future. Eulogy to the Yellow River is a massive, serene image that portrays a sense of sheer beauty, heroism, and hope. The brushstrokes used show motion and power, while the rays of sunlight across the mountains make the entire painting glow with dazzling beauty. Yifei was quoted saying, “In the red army soldier’s rifle shoulder strap was a little piece of red fabric, like a blossoming fresh flower… I felt it was so beautiful, and heroic, as well as romantic.” (China Guardian, 2013). The soldier looks very dignified, with happiness and accomplishment on his face. He stands on the highest point in the painting, facing the viewer with his back to the landscape. Many Chinese works of art depict someone looking out over a landscape to symbolize a brighter future. It seems that Yifei painted this soldier looking toward the viewer with his back to the darker landscape to portray the idea that they have made it through the most strenuous times and can now begin to enjoy the fruits of a new society.
The scale of this painting immerses the viewer into the scene and evokes romanticized feelings of hope and heroism. Famous artist, Chen Danqing, remembers his first time seeing the work, “Standing in front of the giant canvas Yellow River… I must have been eighteen then, my only feeling was: I also need to paint grand oil paintings!” (China Guardian, 2013).
Bibliography:
Who We Are-China Guardian Auctions Co.,Ltd. Accessed January 29, 2019. http://www.cguardian.com/en/zxzx/2013/12/3860.shtml.
Andrews, Julia Frances., and Kuiyi Shen. The Art of Modern China. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2012.
“Chen Yifei (1946-2005): China’s Restless Romantic.” Geringer Art, Ltd. July 21, 2017. Accessed January 29, 2019. https://www.geringerart.com/chen-yifei-1946-2005-chinas-restless-romantic/.
Revolvy, LLC. “”Chen Yifei”.” Revolvy. Accessed January 29, 2019. https://www.revolvy.com/page/Chen-Yifei.
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