One of China's most prominent contemporary artists, Zeng Fanzhi, has recreated Van Gogh's self-portraits in a series of striking new paintings.
One of China's most prominent contemporary artists, Zeng Fanzhi, has recreated Van Gogh's self-portraits in a series of striking new paintings.
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The collection of six canvases -- three of which are going on display for the first time at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum.
The collection of six canvases -- three of which are going on display for the first time at Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum.
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The paintings offer a unique twist on one of the art world's most recognizable figures.
The paintings offer a unique twist on one of the art world's most recognizable figures.
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Inspired by the dozens of self-portraits produced by the Dutch artist in his lifetime, Zeng began by recreating an image of Van Gogh's face.
Inspired by the dozens of self-portraits produced by the Dutch artist in his lifetime, Zeng began by recreating an image of Van Gogh's face.
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He then added his own signature swirls and brushstrokes transforming the 19th century painter's masterful post-impressionism into a work of contemporary art.
He then added his own signature swirls and brushstrokes transforming the 19th century painter's masterful post-impressionism into a work of contemporary art.
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A self-professed Van Gogh fan, Beijing-based Zeng has long explored self-portraits in his artwork.
A self-professed Van Gogh fan, Beijing-based Zeng has long explored self-portraits in his artwork.
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"With each major change in my life I always feel a strong craving to paint a self-portrait," he said in a press statement. "All these self-portraits have now become a kind of documentary of my life."
"With each major change in my life I always feel a strong craving to paint a self-portrait," he said in a press statement. "All these self-portraits have now become a kind of documentary of my life."
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"I try to re-experience Van Gogh's self-image when I paint his face on the canvas. As the process progresses I get the feeling that I'm getting to know this stranger better and better," says Zeng.
"I try to re-experience Van Gogh's self-image when I paint his face on the canvas. As the process progresses I get the feeling that I'm getting to know this stranger better and better," says Zeng.
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This is not the first time that Zeng, one of China's most commercially successful artists, has re-imagined classic images in his own distinct style.
This is not the first time that Zeng, one of China's most commercially successful artists, has re-imagined classic images in his own distinct style.
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In 2001 he famously recreated Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."
In 2001 he famously recreated Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper."
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He replaced Jesus and his disciples with young communists sporting red neckties.
He replaced Jesus and his disciples with young communists sporting red neckties.
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The painting sold for $23.3 million in 2013, setting a new record for a piece of Asian contemporary art.
The painting sold for $23.3 million in 2013, setting a new record for a piece of Asian contemporary art.
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Opening tomorrow, the new exhibition "Zeng Fanzhi | Van Gogh" will also feature two other paintings by Zeng, one of which was directly influenced by Van Gogh's famous work "Wheatfield with Crows."
Opening tomorrow, the new exhibition "Zeng Fanzhi | Van Gogh" will also feature two other paintings by Zeng, one of which was directly influenced by Van Gogh's famous work "Wheatfield with Crows."
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