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)
Kneeling horse, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Kneeling horse, 1930–1939

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Chrysanthemums in a vase, 1933

Sanyu

Chrysanthemums in a vase, 1933

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Lotus, 1934

Sanyu

Lotus, 1934

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Seated cat, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Seated cat, 1930–1939

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Nudes

Sanyu

Nudes

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Faces

Sanyu

Faces

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

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Doe

Sanyu

Doe

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Nude boy

Sanyu

Nude boy

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Nude, 1945

Sanyu

Nude, 1945

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Lady in fur

Sanyu

Lady in fur

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Zebras

Sanyu

Zebras

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Red bathers

Sanyu

Red bathers

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Vase of flowers, 1931

Sanyu

Vase of flowers, 1931

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Baskets of fruits

Sanyu

Baskets of fruits

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Baby, 1930

Sanyu

Baby, 1930

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Leopards

Sanyu

Leopards

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Tang horse

Sanyu

Tang horse

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Man in brown suit, 1929

Sanyu

Man in brown suit, 1929

Sale Date: October 15, 1995

Auction Closed

Trois nus

Sanyu

Trois nus

Sale Date: June 30, 1995

Auction Closed

Bon voyage, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Bon voyage, 1930–1939

Sale Date: April 16, 1995

Auction Closed

Chrysanthemum, 1930–1939

Sanyu

Chrysanthemum, 1930–1939

Sale Date: April 16, 1995

Auction Closed

Nude

Sanyu

Nude

Sale Date: November 5, 1994

Auction Closed

Flowers in a vase, 1929

Sanyu

Flowers in a vase, 1929

Sale Date: October 16, 1994

Auction Closed

Le chaton l'oiseau et des petits, 1950

Sanyu

Le chaton l'oiseau et des petits, 1950

Sale Date: October 16, 1994

Auction Closed