Zhang Daqian

Zhang Daqian 1899 Neijiang/Sichuan (China) - 1983 Taipei (Taiwan) Chinese painter Zhang Daqian, also Chang Dai-chien, was born on May 10, 1899 in Neijiang city, Sichuan province. Zhang Daqian is one of the most important Chinese painters of the 20th century, together with Pu Ru and Huang Junbi. These three greatest masters of calligraphy and modern ink drawing are also known as "The Three Masters Crossing The Sea".The intense artistic exchange as well as the deep friendship of Zhang Daqian and Pu Ru is expressed in the saying "Zhang in the South, Pu in the North". Master of Tradition In 1917, young Zhang Daqian goes to Kyoto, where he learns the craft of dyeing. In 1919, he returns to Shanghai, studies traditional Chinese literature, calligraphy and painting with masters Zeng Xi and Li Ruiqing. He studied and copied the works of art of the old masters, such as Shi Tao and Bada Shanren, attained a high virtuosity in traditional techniques, and also intensively studied Buddhist teachings. Zhang Daqian earns his living by selling his paintings. He temporarily lives as a Buddhist monk, when he adopts the monk's name Daqian, which he uses throughout his life. Master of Modern Chinese Painting The artworks of Zhang Daqian inspire the connoisseurs of traditional Chinese painting, because although he uses the traditional forms and techniques in his own distinctive style and adopts stylistic features of others, he turns them into something uniquely new in his works. Due to political turmoil and in response to the changing political climate in the late 1940s, Zhang Daqian left his native China and moved to Mendoza, Argentina in 1952. For a time he also lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as well as in Carmel, California/USA. Zhang Daqian undertook numerous journeys and achieved worldwide significance as an artist; his works were sought after and traded at top prices. Picasso of the East In 1956, Zhang Daqian meets Pablo Picasso in Nice, France, which is reported in the international art world as a "meeting between East and West." There are some photographs showing the two artists, the European Pablo Picasso and Zhang Daqian in scholars' robes and long beard, standing close to each other. To many, Zhang Daqian is considered the most important modern painter in China and the "Picasso of the East" because, like the latter, he learned from the past, inspired the future, and created his own unique style for his artwork. Although Zhang Daqian was never to return to China, he remains loyal to Chinese painting. However, his life experience within the Western world allows him to incorporate influences such as abstract expressionism into his painting style. In addition, an eye condition forced him to change his painting technique from the late 1950s and let him develop his pocai style with strong color effects of ink running on wet paper. Zhang Daqian is a very prolific artist throughout his life, leaving behind an extensive body of work. The admiration of Zhang Daqian's art knows no bounds among collectors and admirers of his work. In 2011, Zhang Daqian even surpassed Pablo Picasso as the most expensive artist. In 1978 Zhang Daqian moved to Taipei on the island of Taiwan, and here the artist died on April 2, 1983. In his house Moye Jingshe, where he lived until his death, is now the Memorial Museum of Zhang Daqian.