A Portrait of Miss Jenny - Xu Beihong

A portrait by Xu Beihong depicting a woman in a cheongsam, painted in an academic style during the artist's time in Singapore.

Xu Beihong, a central figure in twentieth-century Chinese art, created this portrait during his time in Singapore. The subject, known as Miss Jenny, is depicted seated in a cane rocking chair. The composition reflects the artist's training in Western academic painting, which he combined with traditional Chinese sensibilities. Xu Beihong studied in Paris at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, where he developed a rigorous approach to anatomy and light. These influences are visible in the modelling of the sitter's face and the structure of the chair.

The painting captures a quiet, domestic moment. Miss Jenny wears a pale, form-fitting cheongsam, which contrasts with the darker tones of the chair and the surrounding interior. The background includes shelves filled with books, suggesting an intellectual environment. A small decorative object sits on the shelf behind her, adding a specific detail to the space. The brushwork is controlled, focusing on the texture of the fabric and the play of light across the sitter's features.

Xu Beihong is often associated with his large-scale ink paintings of horses, yet his oil portraits demonstrate his technical versatility. This work is an example of his ability to integrate European oil techniques into the context of Chinese portraiture. The palette remains restrained, relying on earth tones and muted colours to maintain a sense of realism. The painting serves as a record of the artist's social circle during his travels in Southeast Asia, documenting a specific individual with precision and care. It remains a representative piece of his portraiture, showing his focus on human form and psychological presence.