Julia

2024

Xu Yushi's "Wealth Rolling In (Alishan No. 31 Steam Locomotive)" utilizes the delicate brushwork of oil painting to place this historically rich steam locomotive within the greenery of Alishan, creating an atmosphere where nostalgia and dynamism coexist. The painting predominantly features dark tones, where the layers of forest green create a strong contrast with the ethereal white steam, highlighting the locomotive's black iron texture. The artist employs light and shadow techniques to achieve a subtle balance between the flowing steam and the metallic quality of the locomotive, giving the artwork not only a profound historical feeling but also an energy that is poised to surge.

From a compositional perspective, the painting uses diagonal perspective, allowing the viewer's gaze to extend along the tracks into the distance, evoking a sense of motion as the train seems to rush into the depths of the forest. This approach is reminiscent of Impressionist master Monet's "The Saint-Lazare Station," which similarly employs smoke and light to depict the intersection of industry and nature. In the context of Eastern aesthetics, the artist's representation of smoke also carries a certain fluidity reminiscent of ink wash painting, allowing the whole artwork to achieve a clever balance between realism and artistic conception.

The title "Rising Prosperity, Wealth Rolling In" not only suggests the prosperity symbolized by the locomotive's swift movement but also endows this century-old No. 31 steam locomotive with a spirit of the times. This painting is not just a tribute to the centenary railway culture of Alishan but also a visual interpretation of dynamic history and symbols of prosperity.

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