Selected works of Fan Zeng in white ink painting

Author: Fan Zeng Illustrated
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Fan Zeng, a native of Nantong, Jiangsu, was born into a scholarly family in 1938. He began studying history, literature, and painting from a young age and enrolled in the History Department of Tianjin Nankai University in 1959. Two years later, he transferred to the Central Academy of Fine Arts to study art history before moving to the Chinese Painting Department. He、、、、 renowned masters, gaining profound guidance. In 1962, after graduating, Fan Zeng was assigned to the Chinese History Museum. In the late 1970s, he became a professor at the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts. Later, he helped establish the Department of Oriental Art at Nankai University and served as its head.
Fan Zeng advocates for the essence of Shi Tao's "One-Painting Theory" in his artistic approach, striving for a realm of natural harmony. He excels in freehand line drawing, particularly enjoying ink-wash portraits. To capture the essence of historical figures, he delves deeply into history and meticulously studies the works of masters from ancient and modern times, both within and outside China. He holds special admiration for Chen Laolin and Ren Boqian. His historical figure paintings are fresh, elegant, and ethereal, vividly bringing subjects to life as if they could step out of the canvas. His works possess a unique spirit and character.
In 1979, Fan Zeng made his first visit to Japan, where he was hailed as "one of the top ten modern Chinese painters." He has held numerous solo exhibitions in Hong Kong, Japan, and other places. After 1989, he lived in France for a period before returning to teach at Nankai University. Fan Zeng was one of the earliest Chinese middle-aged painters whose works entered the world's two major auction houses. Following the launch of formal calligraphy and painting auctions in Beijing in 1993, his paintings became a focal point in the auction market. In December 1993, a work titled "Hua Tuo Gazing Far" was auctioned in Beijing, starting at 80,000 yuan and ultimately selling for 120,000 yuan.