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“Desert Boy Anticipation” — Late 20th Century Chinese Oil Portrait Study in the Manner of Lee Man Fong (Framed)
Subject & Medium
A late 20th century Chinese oil painting on canvas depicting a young desert boy set within a warm, golden landscape described as the Gobi Desert. The work is offered in the manner of Lee Man Fong, presenting a calm, humanistic portrait sensibility with gentle realism and an emphasis on mood and atmosphere. The palette is dominated by ochre and earth tones, making the painting particularly sympathetic to both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Composition & Technique
The boy is portrayed in a three-quarter length front-profile view, looking towards the left, which creates a quiet narrative consistent with the title’s sense of anticipation. The background is intentionally simplified—suggestive sand and atmospheric tones—so the sitter remains the clear focal point. The painting displays controlled brushwork and careful tonal modelling, with smooth transitions of light and shade across the face and clothing. The overall handling is realistic but restrained, aiming for dignity, stillness, and presence rather than theatrical effect.
About the Sitter
The sitter is not identified as a named individual and is best understood as a portrait study of a desert youth—an archetypal figure rather than a documented portrait. The described Gobi Desert setting evokes frontier life across northern China and Mongolia, with the work conveying a sense of quiet resilience and youthful expectation. The focus remains on expression and atmosphere, allowing the painting to communicate a universal human moment rather than relying on anecdote or costume detail.
Historical Significance & Legacy
Portrait studies of this nature occupy an appealing intersection of fine art and cultural atmosphere, capturing not only a likeness but also a sense of place. The Gobi Desert is one of Asia’s most storied landscapes, historically associated with frontier geography and the wider cultural history of northern trade routes. Here, that vast setting is distilled into a single contemplative moment: a child’s gaze held against open sand and light. The reference to Lee Man Fong’s manner further places the work within a broader tradition of Asian figurative painting that values grace, restraint, and human warmth.
About the Artist
The artist is currently unidentified. The painting is signed in Chinese characters, indicating a Chinese-speaking hand, but without a verified attribution to a known artist. It is presented in the manner of Lee Man Fong rather than as an original by him. Lee Man Fong (1913–1988) is admired for refined figurative work that combines gentle realism with compositional elegance; this painting aligns with that influence through its calm mood, careful modelling, and dignified treatment of the sitter.
Signature
Signed in Chinese characters by the artist. In the absence of a fully translated close-up, the signature is best described conservatively as a Chinese-script signature present on the painting.
Frame
Housed in a later gilt frame with hanging thread/wire attached, ready for immediate display. The gilt finish complements the warm desert palette and provides a classic, finished presentation.
Size
Framed dimensions (approx.): 33.5 cm high × 28 cm wide × 2.5 cm deep.
Provenance
Stated provenance records origin from an art gallery in Shanghai, China, with an exhibition/gallery label to the reverse for “Yi Ren Gallery” (Shanghai), supporting its Shanghai gallery history and point of presentation.
Why You’ll Love It
A quietly powerful portrait with a refined, interior-friendly palette. The warm desert tones sit comfortably within a wide range of design schemes, while the simplified background keeps the presentation clean and elegant. The work offers atmosphere and narrative without being overly literal, making it easy to live with and compelling over time.
Condition
Offered in fine used condition consistent with age. The canvas shows foxing stains to the front and back and craquelure in places, commensurate with usage and age. Some wear and scuffs to the frame. Hanging thread/wire present on the reverse.
Shipping & Viewing
International worldwide shipping is available; please request a quote. 

• Period: Late 1970's
• • Price: £62,000.00
  • €71,908 Euro
  • $84,990 US Dollar
• Location: London
• • Dimensions: H: 33.5cm (13.19in)
  • W: 28cm (11.02in)
  • D: 2.5cm (0.98in)