Flowers in Vase
Wu Dayu
1950
- Year：circa 1950
- Medium：Oil on canvas
- Dimensions：60.3 × 50.3 cm
Introduction
Wu Dayu, a pioneer of modern Chinese abstract painting, studied in France before returning to co-found the National Academy of Art in Hangzhou (now the China Academy of Art) with Lin Fengmian and others, making significant contributions to the development of modern art and art education in China. In the 1950s, Wu continued his exploration of abstractism, shifting his style toward semi-abstract and entirely abstract forms, and moving his focus from figures to still lifes and floral subjects. Flowers in a Vase was created during this pivotal transitional period. This work captures the graceful forms of plants while unleashing pure, nearly abstract brushstrokes. It embodies Wu’s pursuit to merge the vibrant, expressive colour and brushwork of Western modern painting with the spirit and traditions of Chinese art.
