Nursing an Infant on Fishnet

This depiction of a mother nursing her infant is a contemporary scene that pays homage to the style of the Impressionists. The mother’s body is portrayed in a manner unlike a traditional Chinese female figure, with muscular arms and legs rendered with solid dark-gray colors. With a broad application of ink wash, Yang Yanping suggests a solidity and weight for the mother, who will be the protector of this child for years to come. In contrast to the heavy brushstrokes, Yang uses a series of refined dots and short dashes for the large woven fishnet the mother sits on, and delicate brushwork to indicate a seaside location. Touches of light purples and pink give the picture a feeling of femininity.

This memorable depiction comes from Yang’s experience during her travels in southeastern China in 1982. Although Yang absorbed the influence of many Impressionist works and shared their enthusiasm for scenes of modern life, she also developed her own unique expression, exploring the use of nontraditional methods to create stylized yet realistic images.