The Versatile Master Artist

Of course,

The persuasive power of this microscopic authentication method is still highly debated.

Hanks discovered that this painting and Gu Tongxiang’s works have a strong similarity in broad brushstrokes, which is not surprising since they are grandfather and grandson.

Fortunately, in terms of small brush habits, there are quite a few differences, so it shouldn’t be by the same person.

"Let Gu Weijing paint a few strokes in front of you after he gets home. Just have him sketch something, and you can see his line, form, and color skills, can’t you?"

Gu Tongxiang, watching at the side as Hanks was busy, couldn’t help but speak.

"It doesn’t waste time, anyway, I have nothing better to do," Hanks said without lifting his head.

After identifying the brush habits, he continued to admire the detailed brushwork of the painting.

When Hanks works, he is as meticulous as a miller judging the health and strength of small donkeys’ teeth and hooves at a livestock market.

In the future, his big boat, pension, and money for skiing in Switzerland and mingling with models all depend on the hard work of this young man.

Hanks’s inspection was extremely dedicated.

The flexibility of the European knee joint means many people find it hard to squat for long, but Hanks didn’t mind the dirt, and he kneeled directly on one knee on the concrete floor before the easel, carefully grading Gu Weijing.

"The structure of the painting, while maintaining a stable visual perception as a main premise, doesn’t lack creativity. Majestic, with the demeanor of a great general, very good. The direction of sunlight is quite interesting, uh... is the Holy Mother in shadow deliberate? Quite bold."

"The oriental charm contained in the lines and forms differs from traditional sketches, but one can tell that his line control is excellent, so that’s worth high praise!"

"The color handling is average, neither good nor bad. The visual focus shifts flexibly; there are some flaws in the gradient of mixed light and shadow, but overall it is still solid..."

"Whether it’s sketching, oil painting, or Eastern art techniques, they’re quite decent; there aren’t any obvious shortcomings."

As his gaze swept across,

Various pieces of information naturally surfaced in Hanks’s mind, and he scored them one by one in his mental form.

"Um... between three thousand and four thousand US dollars."

Hanks quietly said to himself in his heart.

Relying on his professional experience, he judged that if all other information were removed, just based on its beauty alone, a price tag of around 3,500 US dollars in a typical European community gallery, even without any extra exposure channels, should still find a buyer among enthusiasts.

Three to four thousand US dollars is the price in a small gallery.

If operated smoothly through the Ma Shi Gallery channel, not selling for five figures would mean Hanks lacks the ability.

"My grandson’s painting isn’t bad, right?" Gu Tongxiang said proudly.

"Here, it’s certainly not bad; otherwise, I wouldn’t have flown over specially. But in Ma Shi Gallery, it doesn’t count for much; the brushwork is still immature, too immature."

Hanks had his own little calculations and wasn’t about to agree verbally with Mr. Gu’s words.

"He’s still just a kid."

"Artistic value has nothing to do with age. At his current level, it is simply not marketable. If Ma Shi Gallery really wants to push Gu Weijing to the market, there’s still a long way to go. Moreover, his painting technique completely imitates Qing Dynasty Palace Painting, which in itself determines that the audience won’t... Wait! What’s that?"

Hanks was halfway through speaking when he suddenly let out a low exclamation, his eyes widened abruptly.

He intended not to appear too optimistic about Gu Weijing in front of Gu Tongxiang.

But as Hanks was speaking, he involuntarily called out suddenly.

To prevent getting dusty or being brushed by someone’s clothes, all the works in the studio that were drying were habitually placed with the back facing the wall.

As the agent talked, he casually flipped open a nearby easel only to see a work completely beyond his expectations.

It was—

A dark-toned... Impressionist painting?

If we consider all of art history since the 19th century as a movie, the stories about Impressionist painters would be the main storyline of this movie.

It is hailed as the beginning and origin of modern art.

Since the Industrial Revolution, various art schools have emerged one after another. Impressionism is not absolutely the earliest in chronological terms; before it, there were the Romantics and the Pre-Raphaelites as its predecessors.

After it, Realism, the Secessionists, Aestheticism, and the trend of Symbolism emerged one after another.

But compared to Impressionism, these trends are ultimately just babbling brooks in secluded valleys, while Impressionism is the real tidal wave that swept through art history.

Looking at the entire history of Western art, probably only Picasso’s Cubism can compete with its influence. Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama might have made more money with their Pop Art, but in terms of historical status, they’re considerably behind.

Many academic opinions hold that if it were not for the fusion of objective reality and color perception born from Impressionism, through brushstrokes depicting strong and subtle changes of light and shadow, painting art at that time might have been completely defeated by the newly born art of photography or even been completely replaced.

Hanks had seen countless impressive Impressionist masterpieces, yet he still couldn’t find any other artwork in his memory as unique as the one before him.

Black rain, flowing lightning, rolling colored candlelight.

Van Gogh also painted nighttime subjects; whether it’s "Café Terrace at Night" or "Starry Night," all seem to be of those very "bright" artworks, unlike the dark-toned painting in front of him.

Curiously,

though such cool tones were used, the painting didn’t look melancholic at all.

The entire painting was completed with the short brushstrokes typical of Impressionism, with only the bright candlelight as an exception, anchoring the whole image.

Hanks was nearly on his knees at the sight.