He Zhenshi Talks to You About Foreign Art

Author: He Zhenzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-10-01
Features: Between 1980 and 1987, He Zhenzhi published hundreds of articles introducing foreign art in publications such as Wenhui Monthly, Foreign Literature, and Art World. She also delivered over a hundred lectures on the history of Western art in schools and cultural centers, leaving an indelible mark on Shanghai with her influence and charm. Her articles were not mere compilations of foreign art materials but rather analyses with selections, weaving together various art movements, painters, and their works within the threads of human cultural development. While imparting knowledge of art, she also taught the appreciation of artistic aesthetics. Her lectures on the history of Western art, spanning from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism, described centuries of artistic evolution with the elegance and grace of her writing and demeanor—unassuming, modest, and eloquent in her Mandarin, bringing to life the fascinating chapters of Western art history. Thus, she became a revered mentor to young artists in Shanghai and a close friend to them through her care and support for Shanghai's artistic creation, especially that of young artists.
He Zhenzhi's achievements extended far beyond the study and teaching of Western art. Her privileged upbringing, her foundation in English literature at university, and her experiences studying at Zhang Chongren's studio and with a Russian female painter were instrumental. More importantly, her lifelong dedication to learning shaped her extraordinary erudition, exceptional artistic expression and language skills, an elegant demeanor in harmony with art, and a sincere, nature. In the mid-1950s, she joined the Shanghai branch of the China Artists Association, participating in busy organizational work and serving as the head of the painting group. Her oil paintings and pastels reflected her unique talent and craftsmanship, achieving notable success and social influence at the time. However, fate was not always kind to her. During the Cultural Revolution, she was forced to lay down her brushes, and her fine pastel sticks were crushed underfoot. Amidst physical and emotional pain, she turned to her strong artistic background and English foundation to study the history of Western art. From the late 1970s, she began contributing to the writing of foreign art entries for the Cihai (Comprehensive Dictionary).
As they say, gold will eventually shine. In the early days of reform and opening up, nearing retirement, He Zhenzhi's cultivation and talent finally found full expression, leading to even greater achievements and broader social impact. From then on, her life was filled with teaching, writing, and numerous social activities, continuing until she settled in the United States at the age of nearly seventy in 1990. In addition to the articles collected in this book, she published a vast amount of contemporary art criticism and participated in the compilation of works such as the Cihai, the English-Chinese Dictionary, the Dictionary of 20th-Century Art, and the Who's Who in Western Art. Among her most celebrated works is the Art—A Fascinating Realm, a history of Western art written in an artistic style, recommended to young readers and reprinted multiple times.