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)
Birds

Sanyu

Birds

Sale Date: December 23, 2007

Auction Closed

Jeune femme couchée

Sanyu

Jeune femme couchée

Sale Date: November 20, 2007

Auction Closed

Nu de femme

Sanyu

Nu de femme

Sale Date: December 3, 2007

Auction Closed

Les poissons rouges

Sanyu

Les poissons rouges

Sale Date: November 28, 2007

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Two nudes, 1940–1949

Sanyu

Two nudes, 1940–1949

Sale Date: November 25, 2007

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Wild chrysanthemums in a white baluster vase, 1931

Sanyu

Wild chrysanthemums in a white baluster vase, 1931

Sale Date: November 25, 2007

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Chrysanthemums with green leaves, 1929

Sanyu

Chrysanthemums with green leaves, 1929

Sale Date: November 25, 2007

Auction Closed

Figure

Sanyu

Figure

Sale Date: December 1, 2007

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White Pekinese

Sanyu

White Pekinese

Sale Date: December 1, 2007

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Nude, 1966

Sanyu

Nude, 1966

Sale Date: December 2, 2007

Auction Closed

Nude (+ another, smaller; 2 works)

Sanyu

Nude (+ another, smaller; 2 works)

Sale Date: October 7, 2007

Auction Closed

Nude (set of 2, various sizes)

Sanyu

Nude (set of 2, various sizes)

Sale Date: October 7, 2007

Auction Closed

Four nudes (+ Youth; 2 works)

Sanyu

Four nudes (+ Youth; 2 works)

Sale Date: June 27, 2006

Auction Closed

Tulip

Sanyu

Tulip

Sale Date: June 28, 2007

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Scène érotique

Sanyu

Scène érotique

Sale Date: June 27, 2007

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Nude in a room

Sanyu

Nude in a room

Sale Date: June 21, 2007

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Nude (+ 6 others; 7 works)

Sanyu

Nude (+ 6 others; 7 works)

Sale Date: May 27, 2007

Auction Closed

Nude (+ Study in studio; 2 works)

Sanyu

Nude (+ Study in studio; 2 works)

Sale Date: May 27, 2007

Auction Closed

Sketch of a lady

Sanyu

Sketch of a lady

Sale Date: May 27, 2007

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Pink rose in a white vase, 1931

Sanyu

Pink rose in a white vase, 1931

Sale Date: May 27, 2007

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Nude

Sanyu

Nude

Sale Date: April 7, 2007

Auction Closed

Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus

Sanyu

Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus

Sale Date: April 7, 2007

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Femme assise

Sanyu

Femme assise

Sale Date: March 15, 2007

Auction Closed

Nude

Sanyu

Nude

Sale Date: December 9, 2006

Auction Closed