Lin Fengmian (1900-1991) was born in Guangdong, China, during a period of profound social and cultural change. He received a classical Chinese education in his youth, mastering traditional ink painting techniques under the tutelage of renowned artists. In 1919, Lin traveled to France to study Western art at the renowned École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Immersed in the vibrant artistic milieu of Europe, he encountered the works of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masters, whose expressive use of color and form deeply influenced his artistic sensibilities. His pioneering style of painting, which combined Chinese and Western influences, embodied the influence of these schools, and his works were selected for Salon d'Automne. Lin Fengmian returned to China in 1925 and was appointed as the director of the National Art College in Beiping. He was invited by Cai Yuanpei to establish the National Academy of Fine Arts in Hangzhou, where he served as the principal. He often wrote articles to publicise the creative experience and theories of the integration of Chinese and Western art. He moved to Hong Kong in 1997, where he continued to work tirelessly until his later years. Before he left for Hong Kong, he deposited 105 paintings he had created in Shanghai with the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy, and soon donated them all to China.
Upon returning to China in the 1920s, Lin Fengmian dedicated to synthesizing Eastern and Western artistic traditions. He sought to revitalize traditional Chinese ink painting by infusing it with the dynamism and experimentation of Western modernism. Drawing inspiration from both cultures, Lin developed a distinctive style characterized by bold brushwork, vibrant colors, and harmonious compositions. His innovative approach heralded a new chapter in the evolution of Chinese art, earning him recognition as one of the pioneers of modern Chinese painting.
Not only was Lin Fengmian a pioneer of modernism known for his brilliant hybridization of Chinese and European styles, subjects and methods, he had also contributed a great deal to the development of art education in China through his teaching at the Beijing Institute for the Arts (Beijing) and the National Institute of Art (Hangzhou). In his role as a prominent educator, Lin laid the foundation for Chinese modern art. Throughout his long and productive life, Lin absorbed a wide array of stylistic approaches into his paintings, and was one of the earliest Chinese artists to make a serious study of European modern art along with traditional ink paintings.
Lin Fengmian’s life was marked by numerous upheavals and tragedies including the destruction of many of his works during the Sino-Japanese War and Cultural Revolution. Despite the turbulence of the times and the trials and tribulations of life, Lin was never discouraged; he always maintained his passion for art and fought for it indefatigably.