Sanyu

(Chinese/French, 1901–1966)

Sanyu was a Chinese-French artist that created prints, drawings, and paintings. His work fused the histories of European still-life and figurative painting with the traditions of Chinese calligraphy. Considered a master of form and color, he was sometimes referred to as “the Chinese Matisse.” Born Chang Yu on October 14, 1901 in Nanchong, China, he was tutored in calligraphy and painting from a young age. In 1921, he travelled to Paris to study at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. While in Paris, he discovered the work of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. In 1948, Sanyu travelled to New York where he became a close friend of the photographer Robert Frank. It was Frank who later established the Sanyu Scholarship Fund at Yale University in his honor. Today, a large quantity of his work can be found in the collection of the National Museum of History in Taiwan. The artist died in his studio on August 12, 1966 in Paris, France.

Sanyu Artworks

Sanyu (1,625 results)
Female nude, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Female nude, 1930–1939

Sale Date: October 4, 2010

Auction Closed

Pink nude on floral sheet, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Pink nude on floral sheet, 1930–1939

Sale Date: October 4, 2010

Auction Closed

A lady in deep thought

Sanyu

A lady in deep thought

Sale Date: June 27, 2010

Auction Closed

Lady

Sanyu

Lady

Sale Date: June 27, 2010

Auction Closed

Nu

Sanyu

Nu

Sale Date: June 9, 2010

Auction Closed

Drawing

Sanyu

Drawing

Sale Date: May 30, 2010

Auction Closed

Reading

Sanyu

Reading

Sale Date: May 30, 2010

Auction Closed

Reading

Sanyu

Reading

Sale Date: May 30, 2010

Auction Closed

Zebras, 1945

Sanyu

Zebras, 1945

Sale Date: May 30, 2010

Auction Closed

Two spotted horses, 1950–1959

Sanyu

Two spotted horses, 1950–1959

Sale Date: May 29, 2010

Auction Closed

Pink leopard, 1940–1949

Sanyu

Pink leopard, 1940–1949

Sale Date: May 29, 2010

Auction Closed

Vase of lilies with red ground, 1940–1949

Sanyu

Vase of lilies with red ground, 1940–1949

Sale Date: May 29, 2010

Auction Closed

Two pink nudes, 1929

Sanyu

Two pink nudes, 1929

Sale Date: June 6, 2010

Auction Closed

Nudes (set of 2), 1932

Sanyu

Nudes (set of 2), 1932

Sale Date: June 6, 2010

Auction Closed

Chrysanthemums with green leaves, 1929

Sanyu

Chrysanthemums with green leaves, 1929

Sale Date: May 31, 2010

Auction Closed

Nude

Sanyu

Nude

Sale Date: April 5, 2010

Auction Closed

Woman standing, 1930

Sanyu

Woman standing, 1930

Sale Date: April 5, 2010

Auction Closed

Woman on a chair, 1930

Sanyu

Woman on a chair, 1930

Sale Date: April 5, 2010

Auction Closed

Street musicians

Sanyu

Street musicians

Sale Date: April 5, 2010

Auction Closed

Reading

Sanyu

Reading

Sale Date: January 10, 2010

Auction Closed

Two sketches

Sanyu

Two sketches

Sale Date: November 30, 2009

Auction Closed

Nude woman; & nude woman on chair

Sanyu

Nude woman; & nude woman on chair

Sale Date: November 30, 2009

Auction Closed

Vase and flowers

Sanyu

Vase and flowers

Sale Date: November 30, 2009

Auction Closed

Still life

Sanyu

Still life

Sale Date: November 30, 2009

Auction Closed