Wuxi Xu Beihong Art Gallery

Wuxi Xu Beihong Art Gallery

The Wuxi Xu Beihong Art Gallery is located within the main building of the Wuxi Museum. Xu Beihong was an outstanding Chinese painter and art educator who achieved remarkable success in Chinese painting, oil painting, and sketching. He had a profound impact on the modernization of Chinese art and was internationally acclaimed as the “Father of Modern Chinese Painting.”

Xu Beihong advocated for “capturing the essence through empathy with creation” and “appealing to the supreme truth,” emphasizing the alignment between the artist’s inner vision and nature to create awe-inspiring and deeply moving artistic images. He put forth the famous theory: “Preserve the best of ancient techniques, revive what is on the verge of being lost, improve what is inadequate, enhance what is lacking, and selectively incorporate elements from Western art.” This re-established the fine tradition of Chinese painting that learns from nature. He excelled at capturing the most beautiful moments of his subjects, conveying their psychological activities and deeply touching spirits. Under his brush, even a bamboo shoot, a rock, a cat, or a sparrow seeks to reveal the wonders of creation, expressing unique artistic conception and enduring poetic charm. Twisting ancient pine trees weathered by storms, vibrant lotuses shimmering under sunset hues, gracefully poised egrets in the misty rain, dignified horses in dynamic motion, tender willows swaying in the breeze, and delicate ink-wash figures—all embody the marvels of nature, conveying distinctive artistic moods and timeless poetic meaning. Full of unrestrained vitality and expansive spirit, they resonate with the rhythms of life and the human soul. Xu Beihong’s art is imbued with a spirit of freedom and brilliance, representing the soul and essence of Chinese art. Through his paintings, he vividly expressed the character, inner strength, and individuality of the Chinese people, establishing a uniquely modern style in Chinese art.

Xu Beihong’s sketches and oil paintings seamlessly blend solid, powerful forms with the refined and concise qualities of Chinese art. His works possess both a grand and vigorous spirit as well as captivating, exquisite details. Selecting the essence and utilizing the vast, he captures both the minute and the expansive, highlighting the unique elegance and refined spirit characteristic of Chinese culture, marked by a distinctively Chinese aesthetic.

Born on the shores of Taihu Lake, Xu Beihong’s sensitivity to truth, goodness, and beauty, as well as his deep love for art, were shaped by the beautiful and rich natural environment and the profound cultural traditions of his hometown. Under the guidance of his father, who taught him to “capture inspiration from creation, take joy in depicting what he saw, and remain independently distinguished from other schools,” his family members, neighbors, and even beggars became subjects of his observation and portrayal. From nature—described as “with southern hills as a screen, ponds and rivers as a belt, sunlight and moonlight shining down, frost and snow enhancing the scenery, fishermen and woodcutters as companions, and chickens and dogs answering each other’s calls”—he found boundless beauty and an endless source of inspiration for his paintings. The natural philosophy he developed in his hometown—“to roam freely amidst mountains and waters, serene and content”—along with his aesthetic values such as “being noble yet not arrogant, majestic yet not fierce,” and “one must not have arrogance, but one must have integrity,” continuously nourished the fertile ground of his artistic creation.

Location: No. 100 Zhongshu Road, Nanchang District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province (within the main building of the Wuxi Museum)

Transportation: Take bus routes 36, 56, 72, 116, or 766 in Wuxi City and get off at Qingheqiao Station; or take bus route 67 and get off at Taihu Square Station.