Li Haisu

Author: Liu Haisu / Hui Lan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: Liu Haisu (1896–1994) was an outstanding artist, educator, art historian, and painter. His courtesy name was Jifang, and his pseudonyms included Haiweng, Jingyuan Laoren, and Cun Tian Gezhu. His studios were named Cun Tian Ge and Yi Hai Tang. He was from Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. In 1912, he co-founded the first modern art school in China—Shanghai Guohua Meishu Yuan—with Wu Shiguang, Zhang Liguang, and others, and served as its principal for a long time. He also served as the president, honorary president, and professor of Nanjing University of the Arts, honorary chairman of the Shanghai Artists Association, and honorary council member of the China Calligraphers Association. Liu Haisu was deeply influenced by Western modern painting but also had a solid foundation in traditional Chinese painting. He integrated the two and created a harmonious synthesis, opening up a broad path for the nationalization of oil painting. His style was bold, unrestrained, magnificent, and profound. His oil paintings did not deliberately distort forms but had a raw and rustic charm. He poured all his life's passion and strength into his works. In France, Louis