Xu Beihong's ink drawings of wild horses are among his most vivid and popular works.

One of China's best known and most loved twentieth century artistic pioneers, Xu Beihong, was honored in a Beijing exhibition of his paintings held as part of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the 1919 May 4th Movement which is credited with launching China's modern revival. 

Xu is famous both for his traditional Chinese ink paintings and his Western-style oil paintings. As a young man, he was one of the first Chinese artists to search for new forms of artistic expression reflecting China's troubled encounters with the modern world. He studied painting in Paris from 1919 to 1927 and on his return took up a number of teaching posts from which he enormously influenced the development of Chinese art. After the founding of the People's Republic Xu was appointed president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and chairman of the Chinese Artists' Association. He died in 1958.

At the exhibition opening ceremony on March 8th, the painter's son Xu Qingping, now dean of the School of Arts in Renmin University, said it was his father's wish to build a museum where all Chinese people could get an esthetic education free of charge. "In the 20th century, China endured terrible wars and poverty. Looking at the art produced by the masters of that period, and reflecting on their persistent pursuit of art, is very instructive for us," Xu Qingping added.

Professor Huang Xiaofeng of the China Central Academy of Fine Art, said, "Xu Beihong may not be famous overseas, but he was one of the founders of Chinese modern fine art. He brought western art to China and initiated a renaissance in Chinese fine art. In one sense he is more important as an educator than a painter."

One of the main features of Xu Beihong's work is its accessibility. Six-year-old Yang Yang, who has just started studying art, pointed out his favorite painting, a portrait in oils of Sun Duoci "Because the lady in the dress is as beautiful as my mother. One day, if I become a great painter, the thing I most want to draw is my mother," little Yang Yang said.

"Exhibition of Founders of Modern Art Series: Xu Beihong" opened to public at the Yan Huang Art Museum on March 8, 2009. The exhibition will continue until April 10, 2009. More than 80 of Xu Beihong's paintings are on show, covering all stages of his life.

Portrait of Sun Duoci by Xu Beihong.