Wu ZuoRen

Wu Zuoren (1908–1997), born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, was an important contemporary Chinese painter and art educator. In 1927, he enrolled at Shanghai Art University and later studied under Xu Beihong. In 1930, he went to France to study at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After returning to China in 1935, he devoted himself to creation and teaching for many years, serving as a professor, president, and honorary president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He had a profound influence on modern Chinese art education and cultivated and inspired numerous artists.

In his artistic creation, Wu Zuoren integrated ancient and modern, Chinese and Western styles, using oil painting to convey the lyrical and expressive spirit of Chinese ink painting, emphasizing the natural harmony between brushstroke rhythm and the overall composition. He did not pursue mere realism, but valued capturing the spirit and conveying the essence, skillfully using variations in palette knife and brushwork to closely integrate form and spirit. His works present a personal style that is both elegant and approachable, subtle yet powerful. Throughout his life, he adhered to his artistic ideals, and in 1984 he was awarded the highest medal of the Order of Arts and Letters of France. His artistic achievements continue to profoundly influence the development of modern Chinese painting.