Former Residence of Lin Fengmian in Meizhou

Former Residence of Lin Fengmian in Meizhou

The former residence of Lin Fengmian in Meizhou is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Guangdong Province.

The former residence of Lin Fengmian is located in Gegongling Village, Xiyang Town, Meijiang District, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, and was built during the Qing Dynasty. The seventh-generation ancestor of the Lin family established their roots here. The residence is situated to the left of the ancestral Lin family shrine. The lintel is inscribed with 敦裕居 (Dunyu Ju), personally written by Lin Fengmian’s father, the twentieth-generation ancestor Bo’en Gong, in black running script—the characters are still faintly visible. The door couplet reads: “Uphold propriety and righteousness, bestow blessings upon descendants.” The residence faces north and is backed by a mountain ridge, with a pond in front. It is built on a high stone platform according to the terrain. The main structure is a traditional Hakka-style quadrangle courtyard dwelling. The layout follows a north-south central axis with a gate tower, while a hall is located at the western end of the east-west axis. Small side doors are opened on the left side of the back wall of the hall, leading to the auxiliary buildings and the outer wing rooms on the left. The building features rammed earth, wood, and stone construction with grey tiled roofing and a gable-and-hip roof style. Particularly notable are the use of numerous cobblestones in the platform foundation and courtyard flooring, giving the residence a natural and rustic feel. The room at the far end of the right wing was where Lin Fengmian lived during his time at home. In October 2012, the former residence of Lin Fengmian was designated as a Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Site by the People’s Government of Guangdong Province.

Lin Fengmian was a master painter who blended Chinese and Western painting techniques, but he forged an artistic path distinct from that of Xu Beihong.

Lin Fengmian (1900–1991) was born into a farming family in Meixian County, Guangdong Province. His grandfather was a carpenter, and as a child, Lin assisted his grandfather and learned calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting. At the age of 18, he went to France to study and work, where he began learning oil painting. Later, he traveled to Germany, where he held great admiration for European classical masters, while also developing a strong interest in Post-Impressionism and various modern art movements. In 1925, Lin… [More details about Lin Fengmian++]

Gegongling Village: Gegongling Village… [More details about Gegongling Village++]

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites