Bidspirit auction | Peony: Symbol of Wealth and

Peony: Symbol of Wealth and Honor - Liu Haisu (1896-1994) - Liu Haisu (1896–1994), originally named Pan, courtesy name Jifang, and art name Haisu, was a native of Changzhou, Jiangsu. A pioneering figure in modern Chinese art education, he was a renowned painter and art educator. He founded the Shanghai Painting and Fine Arts Institute (later renamed Shanghai Fine Arts College) and introduced live figure drawing to China, advocating for modern art education and promoting the modernization and East-West integration of Chinese art. Liu Haisu’s artistic achievements spanned both Eastern and Western traditions. His oil paintings, influenced by Post-Impressionism, are known for their bold colors and vigorous brushwork. In Chinese ink painting, he excelled in splashed ink and color techniques, particularly in landscapes, wielding the brush with power and grandeur. In his later years, his works grew even more intense and expressive, blending traditional freehand style with Western expressionism. His repeated trips to Mount Huangshan inspired some of his most majestic and distinctive landscape compositions. His calligraphy, similarly unrestrained and forceful, complemented his painting style. As a key pioneer in modern Chinese art, Liu Haisu dedicated his life to the ideal of “artistic revolution.” He educated generations of artists and left a profound impact on the history of modern Chinese art and art education.