Memorial Hall of the Three Wus

　　Artistic master Wu Zuoren, eminent calligrapher Wu Yuru, and well-known writer and scholar Wu Zuxiang were all natives of Maolin in Jing County, collectively referred to as the “Three Wus.” Their accomplishments and contributions have long been renowned across China and celebrated around the world. To bring together the lifetime essences of these three figures, showcase their life journeys, work experiences, and creative endeavors, promote their unyielding spirit of innovation in the arts, and highlight the cultural heritage of Jingchuan that has flourished amidst the region’s picturesque 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 spanning 300 square meters. The establishment of the memorial 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 focuses on the biographies of the three, presented through text and images; the other showcases their artworks and cultural relics, displayed in exhibit cases and cabinets. The Jing County Museum also houses a Xuan Paper Museum and the Hundred Plaques Hall. The Xuan Paper Museum displays 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 exhibits a collection of historical plaques gathered from various parts of Jing County, as well as artistic treasures such as wood, stone, and brick carvings known as the “three types of carving.”

　　The ancestral homes of all three figures were in Maolin, Jing County. Maolin is located in the southwest of Jing County, about 37 kilometers from the county seat. It is a beautiful ancient town and a large village predominantly inhabited by the Wu clan. Maolin was first built 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 also gave rise to a large number of notable figures, among whom the “Three Wus” are the most outstanding representatives. Maolin is also a revolutionary base area where the shocking “Wannan Incident,” which garnered international 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 Premier Zhou Enlai. Wu’s calligraphy is highly treasured worldwide. He once taught at Nankai University in Tianjin and Tianjin College of Commerce and Industry, mentoring countless students. Later, he 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, president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and chairman of the Chinese Artists Association. He received great honors both nationally and internationally and became 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, and his courtesy name was 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 attending 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.