Yuan Shinan

• Yuan Shinan (1895-1966), also known as Yuan He, was born in Guangdong. In his early years he studied Western painting in Shanghai. At that time, Kang Yuwei, Lu Cheng, and Chen Doxiu were advocating a revolution in Chinese painting by adopting Western painting methods. Influenced by them, Yuan Shinan gave up Western painting and specialized in Chinese painting. He advocated "rationalization of Chinese painting" and attempted a new Chinese painting incorporating many Western painting methods. After liberation, he served as a master of Chinese painting and painting in Shanghai, a member of the Shanghai branch of the Chinese Artists Association, a member of the Shanghai Museum of History, and a member of the Huangpu District Political Cooperation Committee.