Bidspirit auction | Gao Ma De's Dramatic Figures

Gao Ma De's Dramatic Figures - Gao Made (1917-2007) was a renowned modern Chinese ink wash painter specializing in theatrical subjects, born in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Initially working as cartoonist, he later focused on depicting traditional opera characters from Peking and Kunqu operas using expressive ink wash techniques. He developed a distinctive style that captured iconic roles such as Du Liniang, Zhang Fei, and Monkey King with both formal precision and contemporary flair. His masterpieces include series like The Peony Pavilion, Crossroads, and Havoc in Heaven. Awarded the Golden Monkey Honorary Prize for Chinese Cartoons in 1993, his works are collected by the National Art Museum of China and Jiangsu Art Museum. Publications such as Gao Made's Theatrical Figure Painting and Painting and Talking About Opera document his legacy, celebrated as ”a poet capturing stage souls with ink wash”.