Lin Fengmian
Encyclopedia
Lin Fengmian originally Lin Fengming (林凤鸣), was a Chinese
painter
and is considered a pioneer of modern Chinese painting
for blending Chinese and Western painting styles. He was also an important innovator in the area of Chinese art education.
, Lin spent the early years of his career in Europe, moving to France in 1920 and studying painting in France. In 1923, he later moved to Berlin
, Germany. In 1925 he returned to China, where he became the principal of the Beiping State Vocational Art School (北平藝術專門學校). In 1928, with encouragement from Cai Yuanpei
, he helped found the antecedent of the China Academy of Art
, becoming its first principal.
Lin's works and life were met with great tragedy. While many of his early works were destroyed by Japanese soldiers during the Sino-Japanese War
, many of his later works were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution
. After being heavily criticized and denounced by the Gang of Four
, Lin personally destroy his own works by soaking and then flushing his works down the toilet; however, he still ended up being imprisoned for over four years.
In 1977, he was finally allowed to leave, on the assumption he would reunite with his family in Brazil. He instead headed for Hong Kong
, where he remained until his death in 1991 . After his release, Lin slowly began to recreate many of his previously destroyed works.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and is considered a pioneer of modern Chinese painting
Chinese painting
Chinese painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The earliest paintings were not representational but ornamental; they consisted of patterns or designs rather than pictures. Early pottery was painted with spirals, zigzags, dots, or animals...
for blending Chinese and Western painting styles. He was also an important innovator in the area of Chinese art education.
Biography
Born in Mei County, Guangdong, like many of his peers, Lin partipicated in the "Diligent Work and Economical Study", (Jinggong Jianxue 勤工儉學) program, a work-study program in China during that time. Similar to his compatriot Xu BeihongXu Beihong
Xu Beihong was born in Yixing, China. He was primarily known for his shuimohua of horses and birds and one of the first Chinese artists to articulate the need for artistic expressions that reflected a new modern China at the beginning of the 20th century...
, Lin spent the early years of his career in Europe, moving to France in 1920 and studying painting in France. In 1923, he later moved to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany. In 1925 he returned to China, where he became the principal of the Beiping State Vocational Art School (北平藝術專門學校). In 1928, with encouragement from Cai Yuanpei
Cai Yuanpei
Cai Yuanpei was a Chinese educator and the president of Peking University. He was known for his critical evaluation of the Chinese culture that led to the influential May Fourth Movement...
, he helped found the antecedent of the China Academy of Art
China Academy of Art
China Academy of Art is the highest university of art in China. It was founded in Hangzhou in 1928 by the government of Republic of China.-Introduction:...
, becoming its first principal.
Lin's works and life were met with great tragedy. While many of his early works were destroyed by Japanese soldiers during the Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, many of his later works were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
. After being heavily criticized and denounced by the Gang of Four
Gang of Four
The Gang of Four was the name given to a political faction composed of four Chinese Communist Party officials. They came to prominence during the Cultural Revolution and were subsequently charged with a series of treasonous crimes...
, Lin personally destroy his own works by soaking and then flushing his works down the toilet; however, he still ended up being imprisoned for over four years.
In 1977, he was finally allowed to leave, on the assumption he would reunite with his family in Brazil. He instead headed for Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, where he remained until his death in 1991 . After his release, Lin slowly began to recreate many of his previously destroyed works.