Artist's family donates masterwork to national academy

One of the preeminent artists of 20th-century China, Jiang Zhaohe (1904-86) left an oeuvre that integrates the precision and dimensions of Western techniques with the shading and layering of classic Chinese painting. His work was realistic, with strong humanistic tendencies and allowed him to present a vivid profile of ordinary people, especially those suffering from hardship.

In 1938, he painted Ah Q, an ink painting in which he portrayed the protagonist of The True Story of Ah Q, a 1920s novel by Lu Xun about people struggling.

Jiang's family recently donated this well-known piece to the China National Academy of Painting, along with dozen of the artist's tools and documents.

Liu Wanming, director of the China National Academy of Painting, says the painting is a landmark of Jiang's career and a classic piece of modern Chinese art.

He says it displays the artist's shrewd observation of society and deep concern for people, expressed via fine techniques, and will continue to inspire artists to address the needs of their times.