Lin Fengmian - Biography

Biography

Born in Mei County, Guangdong, like many of his peers, Lin partipicated in the "Diligent Work and Economical Study", (Jinggong Jianxue 勤工儉學) program, a work-study program in China during that time. Similar to his compatriot Xu Beihong, Lin spent the early years of his career in Europe, moving to France in 1920 and studying painting in France. In 1923, he later moved to Berlin, Germany. In 1925 he returned to China, where he became the principal of the Beiping State Vocational Art School (北平藝術專門學校). In 1928, with encouragement from Cai Yuanpei, he helped found the antecedent of the China Academy of Art, becoming its first principal.

Lin's works and life were met with great tragedy. While many of his early works were destroyed by Japanese soldiers during the Sino-Japanese War, many of his later works were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. After being heavily criticized and denounced by the Gang of Four, Lin personally destroy his own works by soaking and then flushing his works down the toilet; however, he still ended up being imprisoned for over four years.

In 1977, he was finally allowed to leave, on the assumption he would reunite with his family in Brazil. He instead headed for Hong Kong, where he remained until his death in 1991. After his release, Lin slowly began to recreate many of his previously destroyed works.