Ding Yanyong's Miscellaneous Paintings Album

Author: Ding Yanrong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Ding Yanrong (1902—1978) was a native of Shitang Village, Xieji Town, Gaozhou City. He co-founded the Four-Hua Art University in Shanghai with Cai Yuanpei and others, serving as the school director, academic affairs director, and head of the Art Education Department. He also held positions such as a standing committee member and head of the Art Department at the Guangzhou Museum, and a professor at the National Art College in Chongqing and the headmaster of the Guangdong Provincial Art College. In the spring of 1949, he moved to Hong Kong and held various positions, including art teacher at Deming Middle School and Zhu Sheng Middle School, professor at Xiangjiang College and Zhuhai College, head of the Art Department at Deming College, and president of Hongdao Art College. He published works such as "Ding Yanrong Paintings" and "Ding Yanrong Seal Selections."
In 1928, he became a school principal. In 1929, the National Government Education Ministry appointed him as the preparatory director and head of the art department for the National Art Exhibition. That same year, he moved south and became a standing committee member and head of the Art Department at the Guangzhou Museum. In 1936, the Shanghai Art College invited him to be the school principal, but he declined the offer. In 1938, he became a professor at the National Art College in Chongqing, and in 1946, he became the headmaster of the Guangdong Provincial Art College.
In the spring of 1949, he moved to Hong Kong and held various positions, including art teacher at Deming Middle School and Zhu Sheng Middle School, professor at Xiangjiang College and Zhuhai College, head of the Art Department at Deming College, and president of Hongdao Art College. In 1956, he co-founded the Xinya Art College with Zeng Ketao, Chen Fen, and Wang Yiqian. The following year, it was transformed into the Art Department of Xinya College, where he served as a professor. That same year, he was invited to participate in the China Painters Exhibition organized by the French government. In 1964, Xinya, Chung Ki, and United Colleges merged to form The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he became a professor at the Art Department. That year, he also participated in the China National Art and Calligraphy Touring Exhibition organized by the American Young Artists Association.
Ding Yanrong passed away in Hong Kong on December 23, 1978. He was listed as one of the world's renowned painters. Initially known for his oil paintings, his works were characterized by a bold style, strong colors, and an expression of Eastern artistic spirit, earning him the title "The Oriental Matisse." After settling in Hong Kong, he shifted to Chinese painting, with his style evolving from Matisse to resemble that of the Ming Dynasty painter Ba Yi Shan. Ding Yanrong preferred painting flowers and birds, followed by figures, and landscapes were his least favored. His figures conveyed spirit through form and shape. His works were often sold at high prices in auctions worldwide.
Ding Yanrong was listed as one of the world's renowned painters. This album page was treasured by Mr. Chen Sen, with the painting measuring 40 cm in height and 59 cm in width, comprising sixteen frames. Fourteen of these frames are selected, simple yet sincere, solitary yet refined, embodying the elegance of a master painter and representing Ding's finest works in his later years. The cover features his early floral works, provided by friends in Shanghai, and is included in the same album, which may help readers appreciate the artist's different styles and artistic expressions across various periods.