Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the results from the ongoing study on the materials and painting technique of the pioneering Singapore artist—Liu Kang. The paintings Zuo La Lu and Nude, which represent two of Liu Kang’s early and distinct artistic phases—Paris and Shanghai—were investigated for the first time using a combination of non- and micro-invasive techniques. The aim of this study was to identify the main pigments used by the artist and to add to the existing research on the artist’s painting methods. The results show that the majority of pigments used in both paintings are similar and include Prussian blue, ultramarine, viridian, strontium yellow, chrome yellow, cadmium yellow, iron oxides, lead, zinc and barium whites, bone black and organic red. Particularly interesting is the predominance of lead white in Zuo La Lu and zinc white in Nude. A comparison of the ground layers also indicates the presence of a lead white admixture in Zuo La Lu while its absence in Nude may point to a characteristic difference between two artistic phases, possibly determined by the availability of materials. The imaging methods revealed hidden compositions: the view of a canal house behind Zuo La Lu, and a mystery outdoor view behind Nude. Although these investigative methods permitted some visualisation of the discarded compositions, it remains difficult to determine their details.
Highlights
Liu Kang was born in Yongchun, Fujian province, China, in 1911
The analytical investigations carried out in this study proved to be complementary and gave insights into the pigments used by Liu Kang in the paintings representing his two early and distinct artistic phases—Paris and Shanghai
The macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) scanning provided an opportunity to visualise the distribution of elements indicative of pigments; it didn’t allow the pigments associated with the underlying paintings to be fully characterised
Summary
Liu Kang was born in Yongchun, Fujian province, China, in 1911. He graduated from Xinhua Arts Academy in Shanghai in 1928. He stayed in Paris from 1928 to 1933, during which time he went on painting trips across Europe to assimilate the artistic essence of the Western masters. Liu Kang was active as an artist, educator and cultural commentator for about 60 years in Singapore. When he died in 2004, he was regarded as a pioneering
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