Portrait of a Lady 

Here we see 'Portrait of a Lady' by Ding Yanyong, an artwork that presents a striking composition through its bold use of colour and simplified form. The painting is dominated by swathes of red, green, and fleshy tones, applied with an expressive brushstroke that conveys immediacy. The figure's face, framed by dark, stylized hair, is rendered with minimal detail, emphasizing geometric shapes over realistic representation. This abstraction isn't merely aesthetic; it disrupts traditional portraiture, challenging notions of identity and representation. The artist’s emphasis on flat planes of colour and strong outlines reflects a broader modernist tendency to prioritize the intrinsic qualities of the medium over illusionism. Yanyong's work invites us to reconsider how meaning is constructed through the very elements of painting itself. The interplay between these colours and shapes creates a dynamic visual experience, inviting us to look beyond the subject matter and engage with the structural underpinnings of the artwork. Each brushstroke contributes to the overall discourse around form, challenging our expectations of beauty and representation.