Chang Shuhong
Chang Shuhong | ||
---|---|---|
常书鸿 | ||
Born | ||
Died | June 23, 1994 Beijing, China | (aged 90)|
Alma mater | Zhejiang University | |
Occupation | Painter | |
Years active | 1936–1994 | |
Spouses |
| |
Children | 2, including Hanyu Pinyin | Cháng Shūhóng |
Chang Shuhong (
Early life and education
Chang was born into a
Chang graduated from the Industrial School of Zhejiang (now Zhejiang University) in 1923. Two years later, in 1925, he became an instructor in the fine arts at his alma mater.
Pursuing further education in the arts, Chang left China for Lyon, France, in June 1927. He initially enrolled in l'institut Franco-chinois de Lyon, where he met his wife, fellow art student Chen Zhixiu.[2] Their daughter, Chang Shana, was born in Lyon in 1931.
In 1928, Chang moved to Paris to attend the prestigious
Return to China and journey to Dunhuang
While a student at the ENSBA in Paris, Chang supposedly stopped at a second-hand book stall where he was invited to peruse a copy of Paul Pelliot's "Dunhuang Caves Catalogue" (敦煌石窟图录) documenting the ancient Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China.[4] The next day, he discovered a large collection of Asian artwork being exhibited at the Guimet Museum which had been plundered by Western explorers from various sites in Dunhuang.[3]
These discoveries instigated Chang's lifelong interest in the Mogao Caves and would precipitate his decision to return to China despite the protestations of Chen Zhixiu, who hoped her husband would pursue his highly promising career as an artist in France.
In 1936, after returning to China, Chang began teaching at the National Art Institute in Beijing. In 1943, he moved his family to remote Dunhuang to pursue his dream of exploring Mogao Caves. He began over 40 years of rural life, tending to the Mogao Caves and creating his own artwork while at Dunhuang.
Dunhuang Research Institute
By 1945 Chen Zhixiu felt that their rural lifestyle was unbearable, separating from Chang and leaving Dunhuang. Their daughter Chang Shana remained with her father, growing up among the Mogao Caves. She would eventually follow his path to become a renowned artist and Dunhuang scholar.
Chang Shuhong's artworks and steadfast determination to the caves garnered public attention in China, and he became renowned as the “Guardian of Dunhuang”.
References
- ISBN 9787507304367.
- ^ "Chang Shuhong (1905-1994)" (in French). Retrieved 2018-03-09.
- ^ a b "Chang Shana: The Daughter of Dunhuang". www.chinapictorial.com.cn. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
- ^ 敦煌守护神:常书鸿. culture.china.com.cn. Retrieved 2018-03-12.