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)
Doe, 1946–1946

Sanyu

Doe, 1946–1946

Sale Date: April 11, 2004

Auction Closed

Les Poèmes de T'ao Ts'ien, 1930–1930

Sanyu

Les Poèmes de T'ao Ts'ien, 1930–1930

Sale Date: April 11, 2004

Auction Closed

Female painter, 1929–1929

Sanyu

Female painter, 1929–1929

Sale Date: April 11, 2004

Auction Closed

Figure, 1929–1929

Sanyu

Figure, 1929–1929

Sale Date: April 11, 2004

Auction Closed

Potted Chrysanthemums in a Mandarin..., 1950–1959

Sanyu

Potted Chrysanthemums in a Mandarin..., 1950–1959

Sale Date: October 26, 2003

Auction Closed

Leopard, 1931–1931

Sanyu

Leopard, 1931–1931

Sale Date: October 26, 2003

Auction Closed

Lady drawing, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Lady drawing, 1930–1939

Sale Date: October 5, 2003

Auction Closed

Jeune femme lisant

Sanyu

Jeune femme lisant

Sale Date: July 10, 2003

Auction Closed

Portrait of a lady

Sanyu

Portrait of a lady

Sale Date: July 6, 2003

Auction Closed

Cat and mouse, 1931–1931

Sanyu

Cat and mouse, 1931–1931

Sale Date: July 6, 2003

Auction Closed

Kneeling horse, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Kneeling horse, 1930–1939

Sale Date: July 6, 2003

Auction Closed

Panthère

Sanyu

Panthère

Sale Date: March 28, 2003

Auction Closed

Femme aux lunettes assise

Sanyu

Femme aux lunettes assise

Sale Date: December 17, 2002

Auction Closed

Nu féminin aux bras tendus

Sanyu

Nu féminin aux bras tendus

Sale Date: December 17, 2002

Auction Closed

Biche

Sanyu

Biche

Sale Date: November 26, 2002

Auction Closed

Potted flowers

Sanyu

Potted flowers

Sale Date: October 28, 2002

Auction Closed

Femme nue allongée

Sanyu

Femme nue allongée

Sale Date: September 27, 2002

Auction Closed

Panthère

Sanyu

Panthère

Sale Date: June 25, 2002

Auction Closed

Cheval

Sanyu

Cheval

Sale Date: June 25, 2002

Auction Closed

Au cours de dessin 2

Sanyu

Au cours de dessin 2

Sale Date: March 13, 2002

Auction Closed

Au cours de dessin 1

Sanyu

Au cours de dessin 1

Sale Date: March 13, 2002

Auction Closed

Nu allongé

Sanyu

Nu allongé

Sale Date: December 14, 2001

Auction Closed

Four nudes, 1950–1950

Sanyu

Four nudes, 1950–1950

Sale Date: November 18, 2001

Auction Closed

Tulipes, 1930–1930

Sanyu

Tulipes, 1930–1930

Sale Date: November 18, 2001

Auction Closed