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)
Bowl of fruits., 1930–1939

Sanyu

Bowl of fruits., 1930–1939

Sale Date: December 9, 2006

Auction Closed

Femme assise, 1930

Sanyu

Femme assise, 1930

Sale Date: November 29, 2006

Auction Closed

Les poissons rouges

Sanyu

Les poissons rouges

Sale Date: November 29, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude

Sanyu

Nude

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude (+ 3 others; 4 works, various sizes)

Sanyu

Nude (+ 3 others; 4 works, various sizes)

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Lady in studio (+ 2 others; 3 works)

Sanyu

Lady in studio (+ 2 others; 3 works)

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Lady in sketch (+ 2 others; 3 works)

Sanyu

Lady in sketch (+ 2 others; 3 works)

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude (+ 2 others; 3 works, various sizes)

Sanyu

Nude (+ 2 others; 3 works, various sizes)

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Standing nude (+ 3 others; 4 works)

Sanyu

Standing nude (+ 3 others; 4 works)

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Potted chrysanthemums, 1950–1959

Sanyu

Potted chrysanthemums, 1950–1959

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Flowers in a white vase, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Flowers in a white vase, 1930–1939

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Potted chrysanthemum in a blue and..., 1950–1959

Sanyu

Potted chrysanthemum in a blue and..., 1950–1959

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

Pink nude on floral sheet, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Pink nude on floral sheet, 1930–1939

Sale Date: November 26, 2006

Auction Closed

White plum blossoms, 1950–1969

Sanyu

White plum blossoms, 1950–1969

Sale Date: December 3, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude

Sanyu

Nude

Sale Date: December 3, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude, 1930

Sanyu

Nude, 1930

Sale Date: December 3, 2006

Auction Closed

Femme nue assise

Sanyu

Femme nue assise

Sale Date: October 19, 2006

Auction Closed

Lady in yellow

Sanyu

Lady in yellow

Sale Date: October 9, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude with a squirrel, 1931

Sanyu

Nude with a squirrel, 1931

Sale Date: October 9, 2006

Auction Closed

Roses

Sanyu

Roses

Sale Date: September 20, 2006

Auction Closed

Evergreen tree, 1932

Sanyu

Evergreen tree, 1932

Sale Date: September 20, 2006

Auction Closed

Nude seated on a chair with one leg raised

Sanyu

Nude seated on a chair with one leg raised

Sale Date: June 29, 2006

Auction Closed

Standing nude with one foot on a chair

Sanyu

Standing nude with one foot on a chair

Sale Date: June 29, 2006

Auction Closed

Standing nude with raised arms

Sanyu

Standing nude with raised arms

Sale Date: June 29, 2006

Auction Closed