Memorial Hall of the Three Wus

Memorial Hall of the Three Wus

The three artistic masters—Wu Zuoren, the great artist; Wu Yuru, the master calligrapher; and Wu Zuxiang, the renowned writer and scholar—all hailed from Maolin in Jing County and were collectively known as the “Three Wus.” Their achievements and contributions have long been celebrated throughout the nation and renowned both at home and abroad. To bring together the lifetime essence of these three figures, showcase their work, life, and creative journeys, and promote their unceasing spirit of artistic innovation, as well as to honor the cultural heritage of Jingchuan nurtured by the region’s beautiful landscapes, Jing County established the Memorial Hall of the Three Wus. The museum is located on the second floor of the County Museum, featuring three exhibition halls covering 300 square meters. The establishment of the hall received strong support and enthusiastic assistance from all sectors of society, especially the relatives, friends, and disciples of the three masters.

The exhibition content is divided into two main parts: one is a biographical introduction, presented through text and images; the other showcases the artistic works and cultural relics of the three masters, displayed in exhibition cases and cabinets. The Jing County Museum also houses a Xuan Paper Museum and the Hundred Plaques Hall. The Xuan Paper Museum exhibits the long history of Xuan paper, its exquisite craftsmanship, and the vast collection of calligraphy left by literati throughout the ages. The Hundred Plaques Hall displays a collection of historical plaques gathered from across Jing County, as well as art treasures such as wood, stone, and brick carvings known as the “three types of carving.”

The ancestral homes of the “Three Elders” (as they are also called) are all in Maolin, Jing County. Maolin is located in the southwest of Jing County, 37 kilometers from the county seat. It is a beautiful ancient town and a large village predominantly inhabited by the Wu family. Maolin was established during the Northern Song Dynasty, flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and produced six imperial scholars, twelve jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and 108 juren (successful candidates in the provincial examinations). In modern times, it has also seen the emergence of a large number of notable figures, among whom the “Three Wus” are the most outstanding representatives. Maolin is also a veteran revolutionary base area where the shocking “Wannan Incident,” which attracted worldwide attention, took place.

Wu Yuru was born in 1898 and passed away in 1982 at the age of 84. In his youth, he studied at Nankai School in Tianjin, where he was classmates and close friends with Zhou Enlai. Mr. Wu’s calligraphy is highly treasured, and he once taught at Nankai University and Tianjin College of Commerce, nurturing countless students. He later served as an honorary director of the Chinese Calligraphers Association.

The art master Wu Zuoren was born in 1908 and died in 1997 at the age of 89. In his youth, Mr. Wu went to Europe to study. After returning to China, he successively served as a lecturer in the Art Department of Nanjing University, the academic dean of Beiping Art Specialized School, the president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the chairman of the Chinese Artists Association. He received great honors both internationally and domestically, and is regarded as another shining star in the history of contemporary art following Xu Beihong and Qi Baishi.

Wu Zuxiang (April 5, 1908 – January 11, 1994) was a famous writer of the 20th century. His original name was Wu Zuxiang, with the courtesy name Zhonghua. He was from Jing County, Anhui Province. Starting in 1921, he studied successively at Anhui Provincial No. 8 Middle School in Xuancheng, Anhui Provincial No. 5 Middle School in Wuhu, and in Shanghai. While studying at Wuhu No. 5 Middle School, he edited the literary weekly "Zheshan" founded by the student union and began publishing poems and essays in the supplement of the "Wanjiang Daily."

The “Memorial Hall of the Three Wus” comprehensively displays the life stories and artistic achievements of Wu Yuru, Wu Zuoren, and Wu Zuxiang. The exhibits are arranged in the order of the three masters’ birth years.