Stroking the Cat (1924) by Xu BeihongCAFA Art Museum
Xu Beihong was born in Jiangsu province, China in 1895. He was one of The Four Great Academy Presidents, artists whose groundbreaking work was paramount in the development of Chinese modern art. Xu traveled extensively to learn multiple disciplines, arriving in Paris to study oil painting and drawing in 1919.
Painted in 1924, this piece depicts the artist with his partner, Jiang Biwei, and their cat. It was created around the time Xu graduated from the Higher School of Fine Arts in Paris. He was one of the earliest Chinese artists to study Western techniques abroad.
Jiang Biwei met Xu in 1916, and they remained together until 1935. She moved to Paris with him in 1919, and she was the subject of many of his paintings throughout their relationship. This piece deftly captures the warmth and closeness between them.
Xu and Jiang adored cats, and Xu had several throughout his life. Along with horses and birds, cats were the subject of many of his Chinese ink paintings.
As we get closer to the painting, we can see the texture of the canvas underneath the oils. Remarkably, this piece is only 26" (65 cm) wide, showcasing Xu's ability to create incredible detail on relatively small surfaces.
A close inspection of the gold watch reveals layered brushstrokes of ocher, burgundy, pale green, yellow, and white all blended on the canvas.
Under stronger magnification, the cracks in the paint become more pronounced and we see the glossy texture of the oils in full detail.
Chinese ink painting has an emphasis on traditional aesthetics, often depicting landscapes or animals, with calligraphic brushwork and the spirit of the subject being prioritized over realistic depictions.
Stroking the Cat, however, shows that Xu was equally at home creating his own style and using Western techniques. It's also one of the few pieces which depicts both Jiang and Xu.
This tranquil scene perfectly encapsulates the intimate feelings between the subjects, and upon closer inspection, we can see the dedication and love poured into each and every brushstroke.
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