The memory of Pan Yuliang, Chinese artist, par excellence!

   35 years ago on July 22nd 1977, Chinese artist Pan Yuliang died. I'm honoring her memory today. The first time I saw a painting of her nude bathing women I was curious to discover this intrepid soul. I felt privileged entering her world through art. Here is a brief history of her life:
   Mme. Pan, originally Zhang Yuliang, took her husband's name Pan Zanhua, a local customs officer to whom she was forever grateful. After her parents died, she was sent to live with an uncle who sold her to a brothel. At age 21, she was presented to Pan whom she begged to free her from her captors. He bought her out of the brothel, eventually falling in love with her and married her. Pan was transferred to Shanghai where he introduced his wife to Western painting. She entered the Shanghai Art School and later, went to study art in Lyons and Paris. In 1925, she won a scholarship to pursue further studies at the Roman Royal Art Academy in Italy. She won prizes for her works both in France and Italy. In 1929, she was invited to teach at the Shanghai Art School, the first Chinese female western painting artist. Her nude paintings caught the attention of the conservative right and she was expelled. She returned to Paris and lived there for 40 years until her death, almost penniless, totally dedicated to art.
   Yuliang reminds me of Renoir's work which I equally admire. Like this great Impressionist, she unfolded a world that was pure, beautiful, uninhibited. Why was she so passionate about her nude paintings? Perhaps given her initial experiences of life, ashamed of her own body, she discovered in art that the human body is most beautiful. Hopefully in our enlightened time, we too may cherish the beauty she discovered. She has left us glimpses of happiness and harmony in her work. We too can be thankful. I know I am.
[Check out Huang Shuqui's biographical movie, 'Soul of a Painter.']