Text |Xiaofeng talks about history.
In 2011, Leng Jun created the oil painting "Monument", which shocked everyone with 18.97 million **. But sharp-eyed people found that as early as 06 years, he had painted a similar work - "Cultural Relics." New Product Design.
It's just that the ** of this painting is only 1.98 million yuan.
This article has official website information**, which is repeated at the end of the article. Some of the content of the article has been edited and is for reference only. ）
Two identical worn-out engines, "just in a different direction, why is there a difference of nearly 10 times in their auctions?"
Why did Leng Jun's paintings sell for nearly 20 million yuan?
1. The soul of painting.
As one of the representatives of the contemporary art world, in addition to his superb painting skills, the most eye-catching thing is his realistic style that is different from the public.
Others are paying attention to "artistic conception beauty", but he is "endlessly picking out details." ”
It is precisely because of his uniqueness that he is also "polarized" in the public's reputation. ”
However, Leng Jun's "two works are only in different directions, and the others are the same" have a difference of nearly 10 times in the final auction price.
For this reason, it is also to once again push the already controversial Leng Jun paintings to the climax of **.
In '93, out of his observation of the daily life of old-fashioned machines, he created the work "Cultural Relics - New Product Design". The surface of the painting still continues his own realistic style, not only the various sludge on the surface are clearly visible, but also the metallic luster of the machine itself can be glimpsed under the dirt.
Finally, at the auction site in 05, this artwork, which is different from other arts, was auctioned for millions**.
To be honest, this ** is also a good achievement among contemporary painters. Until the appearance of "Monument", the value of the cold army appeared in front of the eyes of the world again.
Although the ** of this painting is only at the middle level in his past works. But because of its uniqueness, it has still become one of Leng Jun's representative paintings.
But what few people know is that the painting was unsold at the original auction.
However, gold will eventually shine, and in 10 years, the paintings that no one cared about at the beginning have reappeared in front of the world's eyes. In this vertical painting, the other party expresses his deep thoughts on the changes of the times by depicting a machine that has gone through the vicissitudes of life. The metallic color of the surface of the machine in this painting is faint, and the black surface seems to tell the glory of its past.
The surrounding steel and concrete slabs, as well as the fixed state of the machine, are reminiscent of the fact that it once firmly supported an important function.
It's a pity that with the progress of the times, such old equipment will inevitably be eliminated after all. For this reason, the cold army specially shaped it into a symbol of the times and a monument.
It can be said that this painting is more like a real "soul" than its predecessor. ”
But the drama came, and in 2011, the work "Cultural Relics - New Product Design" was auctioned for a second time. Under the precipitation of time, its final ** was set at an astonishing sky-high price of 48.3 million.
But as we said, it is precisely because the other party's painting is too real that many people think it is meaningless. After all, why bother to do what a camera can do with a photo?
2. Realist painters.
In this era of individuality and uniqueness, Leng Jun's paintings, known for his delicate and nuanced painting style and unremitting pursuit of the beauty of life, seem to be a little out of place.
He always sticks to his beliefs and doesn't follow the crowd.
In fact, Leng Jun, who has set off countless storms in the contemporary art circle, is not a top art academy himself.
Just as the heavens have descended on him, his painting journey is full of hardships and challenges. Because of his family's poverty, he could not afford to receive professional painting training, even the most basic painting tools.
However, this did not stop him from his love for painting, and through daily observation and memory, he accumulated his painting skills bit by bit.
After graduating from Wuhan Normal University in '84, he began to be busy with his own artistic path as an art student.
And his own perseverance and perseverance eventually made him an excellent painter.
Just like Leng Jun's hyper-realistic style, it is not only reflected in the accurate depiction of the picture, but also in his in-depth understanding and perception of life.
Although some people criticize his works for pursuing too much realism like ** and losing the value of art. But in the face of these doubts, the other party did not give up his own style, but tried to seek a breakthrough.
After constantly trying to integrate his own understanding into his works, the originally cold works finally came to life.
Perhaps no one would have thought that he, with 900° myopia, could become a generation of artists.
And in his works, the most eye-catching are the women who are real enough to "break through the canvas and slowly walk out." ”
3. The women in Leng Jun's pen.
Under Leng Jun's paint-stained pen, in addition to cold machinery, there are also women of different shapes.
Whether gentle or fiery as fire, they are all quietly telling their stories.
As one of the most distinctive paintings, the auction price of "Little Ginger" has reached a market value of 10 million.
Without the help of a magnifying glass, the viewer can feel the lifelike texture of the characters in the painting. Whether it is the texture of the **, the folds of the clothes, or the emotions revealed in the eyes, they are all extremely delicate, as if they have surpassed the realm that can be presented by high-definition**.
Looking at this work, you can feel the breath of the characters in the painting, the heartbeat and the warmth of the sweater.
Exaggeration, it can even be said that it is "not a painting," but a real person appearing in **.
In fact, the background of the creation of "Little Ginger" is also quite legendary.
Xiao Jiang, the heroine in the painting, was originally an ordinary working girl who met by chance at the train station. Unexpectedly, her ordinary beauty inspired Leng Jun's creation.
After tireless efforts, the girl finally agreed to become his model.
However, due to the monotony of the model's life, Xiao Jiang only lasted for half a year and left.
Despite this, Leng Jun still spent more than two years to complete this masterpiece, and this painting is also one of the longest portraits created by the other party.
As for why "Little Ginger" can sell at a sky-high price, the reason is also a combination of factors.
You must know that at this time, Leng Jun has already made his own fame, and the innocence and sweetness of the characters in the painting are in stark contrast to the materialistic atmosphere of today's society.
It is these factors that make "Little Ginger" more and more precious with the passage of time.
In addition to "Little Ginger", "Xiao Luo" is also the most famous of his portraits.
And the heroine of this painting is not only his muse, but also his beloved wife who has accompanied him for countless times.
But unfortunately, the two got acquainted with each other because of painting, but finally chose to break up because of freedom.
Maybe when the other party's love is hot, it is when it is auctioned for 32.36 million **.
The author thinks. In fact, in the world of art, value is often not determined by material, but by the emotions and concepts conveyed by the work.
Leng Jun's paintings, whether they are the horizontal "Cultural Relics, New Product Design" or the vertical "Monument", all reflect his unique interpretation and deep thinking of the industrial age.
The reason why the two paintings are very different and have changed is not only because of the changes in the aesthetics of the times, but also because the audience's understanding and resonance of the meaning behind the works have changed.
It's just that in this pluralistic society, the value judgment of a work of art is still full of controversy. Did Leng Jun's work really touch people's hearts, or was it gained simply because of its scarcity and market hype?
Whether it is worth it or not, I believe that everyone has a different opinion in their hearts.
Information**: 1] Yangtze River**, Art Sea Jianzhen Column".
2] CNKI, "Calm Enthusiasm - The Road to the Artistic Growth of the Cold Army".