Ancient Warrior

dated 1931

Not on view

Gao Jianfu was an early advocate of reforming the arts through the study of Western-style painting. In 1906 he went to Japan, where he studied a new form of "Japanese-style" painting that synthesized Western realism—natural light and luminous colors—with Eastern materials, techniques, and subject matter. This new hybrid art included the use of perspective, chiaroscuro, and other elements of Western painting.

Gao's willingness to experiment with exotic subject matter and non-Chinese techniques is epitomized in Ancient Warrior, painted in Calcutta. The large-eyed, mustachioed figure was inspired by the new nationalistic painting style of the Bengali artist Abanindranath Tagore (1871–1931).

Artwork Details

清/現代　高劍父　武士像　軸
Title: Ancient Warrior
Artist: Gao Jianfu (Chinese, 1878–1951)
Date: dated 1931
Culture: China
Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on alum paper
Dimensions: 38 1/2 x 19 in. (97.8 x 48.3 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
Object Number: 1986.267.183
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Gao Jianfu

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Orchids, Spider, and Rock, Gao Jianfu Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper, China — Orchids, Spider, and Rock
Gao Jianfu
dated 1934

Frame Drum, Wood, hide, Chinese (Uighyur) — Frame Drum
Chinese (Uighyur)
late 20th Century

Looking at the Waterfall, Qi Kun Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on alum paper, China — Looking at the Waterfall
Qi Kun
early 20th century

Junks, Gao Jianfu Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on alum paper, China — Junks
Gao Jianfu
dated 1945

Archer's Ring (清扳指), Bone, Chinese — Archer's Ring (清扳指)
Chinese
17th–19th century

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