ED92KABH43EU Yue Gu

The painting presents a solitary figure seated at a table positioned before a large window. The composition is dominated by strong geometric forms and a limited palette of colors – primarily blue, orange, black, and red – which contribute to a sense of stylized formality.
Here we see a woman with short, dark hair and a striking red lip, dressed in a high-necked black garment. She holds a lit cigarette between her fingers, the smoke curling upwards towards the window. Her gaze is directed away from the viewer, suggesting introspection or detachment. The posture conveys an air of languid elegance, yet also hints at a certain melancholy.
The table is covered with a checkered cloth in orange and yellow hues. Upon it are arranged two glasses filled with red wine, a bottle, and a small green cup. These objects suggest a moment of leisure or perhaps a ritualistic pause. The placement feels deliberate, contributing to the overall sense of staged intimacy.
Behind the figure, the window is rendered as a solid expanse of blue, punctuated by a grid-like pattern of mullions. Heavy orange curtains frame the window, adding warmth and depth to the scene while also creating a visual barrier between the interior space and an unseen exterior world. The starkness of the background emphasizes the isolation of the figure within the room.
The artist’s use of simplified forms and flattened perspective creates a sense of distance and abstraction. This stylistic choice moves beyond straightforward representation, inviting contemplation on themes of solitude, introspection, and perhaps even societal expectations surrounding femininity. The red lip stands out as a focal point, possibly symbolizing defiance or a carefully constructed persona. The presence of the cigarette introduces an element of transgression and potentially alludes to anxieties or complexities within the subject’s inner life.

The signature in the lower right corner indicates the work was created in 2013.