Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Chang-Yu Sanyu Biography
Chang Yu, known as Sanyu, was a pioneering Chinese-French artist whose work bridged Eastern and Western aesthetics, earning him the moniker "the Chinese Matisse." Born into a prosperous family in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, on October 14, 1901, Sanyu was the scion of a family that owned one of the largest silk-weaving mills in the region. His father, Chang Shufang, was a skilled painter, and his brother, Chang Junmin, managed the family business, which provided Sanyu with the financial support to pursue his artistic ambitions.
Sanyu's early education was conducted at home, where he was taught calligraphy by the Sichuan calligrapher Zhao Xi and painting by his father. This foundational training in traditional Chinese arts would later inform his unique style, which seamlessly integrated the calligraphic line with modernist sensibilities.
In 1919, Sanyu moved to Japan, where he was first introduced to modern painting. Two years later, in 1921, he arrived in Paris, a city that would become his lifelong home and the crucible of his artistic development. Paris in the 1920s was a hub of artistic innovation, and Sanyu was part of the first wave of Chinese artists to study in Europe. Unlike many of his compatriots who returned to China after their studies, Sanyu chose to remain in Paris, immersing himself in the bohemian lifestyle and the city's vibrant art scene.
Sanyu enrolled at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, preferring its less formal environment over the more prestigious École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts. It was here that he indulged his fascination with the human form, producing over 2000 ink and pencil drawings of nudes and figures. His training in Chinese calligraphy infused these works with a distinctive fluidity and expressiveness.
Throughout his career, Sanyu experimented with various subjects, including nudes, flowers, and animals. His paintings often featured lighter colors and soft tones, though his later works took on richer, somber colors, reflecting the challenges of his expatriate life and financial difficulties. Despite the support of art dealer Henri-Pierre Roché and composer Johan Franco, Sanyu's work was largely overlooked during his lifetime, and he struggled to achieve commercial success.
Sanyu's personal life was marked by hardship as well. After the decline of his family's fortunes, he faced financial struggles, and his marriage did not fare well. Nevertheless, he continued to create art that expressed his hope and aspiration for a better life, often employing Eastern style themes and variations of traditional Chinese symbols and patterns.
In 1966, Sanyu's life came to a tragic end when he died from a gas leak in his Paris apartment. At the time of his death, he had fallen into relative obscurity. However, his legacy would not be forgotten. In the years following his death, Taiwanese art dealers rediscovered his work, leading to a posthumous recognition that has grown steadily over time.
Sanyu's paintings have since become highly sought-after by collectors worldwide. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and retrospectives, including those at the Guimet Museum in Paris and the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. Auction results reflect the growing appreciation for his art, with record-breaking sales such as "Five Nudes," which sold for over 38 million USD at Christie's Hong Kong in 2019.
Today, Sanyu is celebrated for his visionary interpretation of Chinese art, fusing disparate elements and aesthetics from ancient to modern, East to West, ink and oil, line and color. His work holds a position of great significance in the history of modern Chinese art, and his influence continues to be felt among contemporary artists. Sanyu's life and work stand as a testament to the enduring power of cross-cultural artistic exchange and the resilience of the creative spirit.
Chang-Yu Sanyu Quotes and
Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be
informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
You can send us pictures of the work: