To commemorate the 145th anniversary of Chinese revolutionary and artist He Xiangning’s birth, an exhibition examining her life and paintings is being held at the He Xiangning Art Museum, offering a comprehensive and in-depth review of the master’s revolutionary and artistic career.

The exhibition features over 40 of He’s paintings and calligraphic works, some of which are collaborative pieces by He and fellow masters. Visitors can admire He’s classic flower, animal and landscape paintings on paper or silk scrolls. In addition to the museum’s collections, some artworks from Tianjin Museum and photos from China News Service are also on display.

A visitor admires a painting created by He Xiangning at the He Xiangning Art Museum on Thursday. A large photo of He is seen in the background. Photos by Cao Zhen

A native of Nanhai in the city of Foshan in central Guangdong, He (1878-1972) was born into a wealthy family in Hong Kong. She married Liao Zhongkai in 1897 and went to Japan in 1903 with her husband, who studied political science. She studied landscape and flower painting in Tokyo and was one of the earliest Chinese students to study in Japan.

While in Tokyo, the couple met Chinese revolutionist Sun Yat-sen in 1903 and then devoted themselves to China’s revolution and women’s rights. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, she moved to Beijing, held several high-ranking positions and kept working until 1958 when she turned 80.

A visitor admires paintings created by He Xiangning at the exhibition.

He’s style was influenced by the Lingnan School of Painting, a modern school of Chinese brush painting in South China. She also retained sensitivity for the delicate colors and meticulous brush strokes characteristic in Japanese paintings. Thus, her landscape paintings are imposing and profound, her animal paintings are smooth and impressive, and her flower paintings are elegant and exquisite, celebrated as a national treasure.

She depicted animals, such as tigers and lions, to awaken Chinese people’s struggling spirit in wartimes and her works are regarded as a record of modern Chinese history. With a lifetime’s worth of contributions to the Chinese revolution, overseas Chinese affairs and art creation, He enjoyed high prestige both at home and abroad.

Opening in 1997, the He Xiangning Art Museum is the first national-level art museum in China named after a person.

A painting created by He Xiangning in 1934.

A painting created by He Xiangning in the 1920s.

Dates: Through May 5, 2024

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District (何香凝美术馆)

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit C