Water Lilies at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

Hu Shanyu, belongs to the first generation of Chinese artists who studied in France, and he is noted for his style that merges the Impressionism expression of light and color with the aesthetic of Chinese folk art. In 1946, he moved back from Chongqing to Hangzhou with the National College of Art and settled by the West Lake, which was not only a crucial subject of his creations but also a spiritual home where he expressed his emotions. Water Lilies at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon created in 1970s vividly reflects this connection. The painting features the lively light and shadow characteristic of Impressionism while incorporating the expressive charm of traditional Chinese painting. The foreground water lilies are rich, the water in the middle is clear and bright, and the distant embankment and tree shadows are hazy, creating a poetic scene reminiscent of a Chinese garden that is “suitable for touring, living, and viewing.”