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Yue Minjun — Untitled (Smile-ism No. 17)
Yue Minjun — Untitled (Smile-ism No. 17)
Yue Minjun

Untitled (Smile-ism No. 17)

2006

Yue Minjun's second work in the Smile-ism series continues his investigation into the nature of smiling and human expression. The lithograph employs vibrant colors to depict faces marked by wide grins that simultaneously suggest both genuine happiness and sardonic detachment. This piece exemplifies Minjun's signature approach of using the smile as a window into contemporary psychological and social conditions. The repetitive imagery and bold color palette create a compelling visual statement about modern emotional experience.

Medium
lithograph in colors
Dimensions

Notes

Signed and numbered to lower edge ‘17/45 Yue Minjun’. This work is number 17 from the edition of 45 printed by Hankuk Art Chain Co., Ltd., Gwangju City, Korea and published by Art Issue Editions, New York.

🔨 Auction Lot

Editions & Works on Paper

April 16, 2026

Estimate: $1,000$1,500

Lot 270

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About this work

Yue Minjun, Untitled (Smile-ism No. 17), 2006

Yue Minjun's second work in the Smile-ism series continues his investigation into the nature of smiling and human expression. The lithograph employs vibrant colors to depict faces marked by wide grins that simultaneously suggest both genuine happiness and sardonic detachment. This piece exemplifies Minjun's signature approach of using the smile as a window into contemporary psychological and social conditions. The repetitive imagery and bold color palette create a compelling visual statement about modern emotional experience.

Medium
lithograph in colors
Dimensions
109.2 x 89.9 cm
Year
2006
Seen at
Wright, Chicago, United States

Related themes

Emotional Ambiguity, Contemporary Chinese, Facial Expression, Repetitive Forms, Expressive Painting, Satirical Expression, Human Psychology, Grotesque Beauty, Ironic Portraiture, Social Commentary, Emotional Distortion, Modern Sentiment, Contemporary Humor, Modern Identity, Smile-ism Series, Exaggerated Smiles, Vibrant Colors, Lithograph In Colors, Colored Lithograph

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