Painter Leng Jun is Master of Hyperrealistic Portraits

Chinese artist Leng Jun is a master of hyperrealism, creating portraits that look incredibly lifelike. Born in 1963, Leng grew up during China’s economic reform period, known as the Opening of China, which brought significant cultural changes and Western influences that shaped his art.

From a young age, Leng was interested in painting. He first experimented with oil paints in middle school, thanks to a friend who gave him a few colors, as oil paints were not readily available in China at the time. These early experiences stayed with him, and he continued to develop his skills, influenced by a steady flow of information from the West.

“For people like me who were born around the 1960s, we were teenagers when we formed our worldview. That was a great opportunity. Looking back, reform and opening-up really saved the soul of our generation,” said Leng. “The information coming from the West greatly contributed to the enlightenment of our people and laid a solid foundation for my later creations.”

Although Leng was respected as an artist before, his 2004 oil painting titled “Mona Lisa” brought him viral fame. This photorealistic portrait of a modern woman, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, was followed by a series of even more detailed portraits of women. The precise brushstrokes and attention to detail in these works are remarkable.

Some critics say his paintings look too much like photographs, but Leng insists that seeing the paintings in person is a different experience. His goal is not to compete with or imitate photographs but to push his art to its limits. By combining technical skill with the ability to convey emotion, Leng has touched people around the world.

“I want to push my painting skills to a higher level. What is the most difficult thing? To paint people,” Leng told CGNT. “For example, still life or rusted metals aren’t things we see every day. People deal with people the most and are most familiar with them. Portraying people and making others believe it is the hardest thing.”