Summer in the Mountain
Summer in the Mountain (jour d'été dans la montagne) is typical of a series of works produced by T'ang Haywen around 1975, the year he first exhibited at the Nane Stern Gallery in Paris.
A background of transparent colours defines various areas, on which T'ang first superimposed opaque colours, then added dots and lines - visible traces of the brush - conferring depth and movement to a composition that shines with the colours of summer and the joy of being in nature.
Another 1975 composition, Spring Shadow (L'ombre du Printemps), exhibited by Nane Stern, is also built on the principle of atmospheric perspective, in superimposed zones, but spring is here still only a shadow.
A painting in the same spirit appears on the wall behind T'ang in a photographic portrait by Yonfan in 1991. (see below image). T'ang was confident, not so much in his art, which was a consequence of his life, but in his choice of a life as a free and travelling painter.
This rare oil painting will be a part of the upcoming Modern and Contemporary Art sale on 27th May 2019 of Bonhams Hong Kong. Details for exhibition and sale, please visit the official website of Bonhams.
This work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of T'ang Haywen now in preparation by T'ang Haywen Archives and Mr. Philippe Koutouzis under the number OOC75-4.
T'ang Haywen, Summer Day in the Mountain (Jour d'été dans la montagne)
c.1975, oil on canvas, 55x46cm, signed lower right
Inscriptions on the back, by the hand of T'ang Haywen:
in English "oil 7", in French "jour d'été dans la montagne",
and in English "summer day in the mountain".
Sping Shadow, c.1975, oil on canvas
T'ang in front of his oil painting in his Paris studio,
photographed by Yonfan in 1991.