Chinese Art in an Age of Revolution : Fu Baoshi (1904-1965)

One of the preeminent figures in 20th-century Chinese art, Fu Baoshi (1904-1965) revolutionized the tradition of Chinese ink painting, opening the door to innovations by subsequent generations. As both an art historian and a painter, he directed his work toward protecting cultural heritage in times of war and revolution. From traditional-style landscape and figure painting to political artwork manifesting state ideology during the Mao era, Fu's work demonstrates his search for a unique artistic language that speaks for the self and the nation. Using native tradition as an essential element, Fu's artistic modernity defined Chinese art as a discipline distinct from Western and international socialist art of the time. Chinese Art in an Age of Revolutionis the first comprehensive retrospective of Fu's work to be published in the West. The book includes more than 100 artworks that demonstrate his stylistic transformation across several decades. Insightful essays offer the latest scholarship on Fu's life and art, Japan's impact on modern Chinese art, and art and politics in China's turbulent 20th century.

Anita Chung is curator of Chinese art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Julia F. Andrews is professor of history of art at the Ohio State University. Tamaki Maeda is Japan Foundation research scholar at the Tokyo University of the Arts. Kuiyi Shen is director of the Chinese studies program and professor of Asian art history at the University of California, San Diego. Aida Yuen Wong is associate professor of Asian art history and chair of East Asian studies at Brandeis University.