Life History 1930～1934

1930—1934

Mr. Qin graduated from Qin Hua University with a BA degree. In 1930, he went to Paris, France, the most flourishing center for western fine arts. Where for five years, he pursued his study of oil painting.  He was admitted by the French National School of Fine Arts and was lucky to study and work at the Dean, Mr. Luiren Simon’s studio for four years, He was also an honored France Fine Arts Academician. There Mr. Qin gained a solid foundation about western culture,  the oil painting essentials and integrated them from both eastern and western cultures. 

But Mr. Qin had a broader vision and a more ambitious goal. When he was in Paris, he not only learned painting skills, but he studied western art history. He was admitted by the Louvre School within the Louvre Museum, as well as by the Archaeology Institute at Paris University. During vacations, he visited several cities including London, Madrid, Toledo in Spain, Milan, Rome, Venice, Munich, Berlin, and cities in Poland and Russian to see with his own eyes original paintings by western artistic masters especially those by the Impressionist giants.  This solid foundation in western art history for him, broadened his view points, and enriched his painting skills. Such a combination of skills was rarely found among artists at that time.  Mr. Qin was one of the very few artists good at both art theory and practice.

(Sketch of “Ancient Sculpture”, Oil Painting “French Young Man”, Oil painting “Van Gogh” ( an imitation)).

It was such education, the education that integrated eastern culture with western culture that nourished and cultivated Mr. Qin, who then became  a successful artist and a scholar in art history and  art Education.

During his stay in Paris, Qin Xuanfu’s oil painting “The Portrait of Madame Kapanzie,” was highly praised by Mr. Xu Beihong, who recommended this painting in his letter to his friends.   This painting was selected for exhibition at the French Salon

(Photo of the oil painting “The portrait of Madam Kapanzie”)

The style of “Carmen” is quite different from that of “The Court Lady”, where Mr. Qin applied daring and heavy strokes that made the  sharp contrast of light and dark.  In this painting, he also used large colorful brushes and thick drawing lines for modeling.  In some places of the painting, one can even tell, that the paint was directly smeared on carves with palette knife!   The modeling was solid and the style was daring.  This painting was also selected into the “Chinese Oil Painting in 20th Century”.

(The oil painting “Carmen”)

In 1933,   the Art Association for Chinese Students in France was found in Paris, where Qin Xuanfu played a leading role. Other members were Wu Zuoren, Chang Shuhong, Liu Kaiqu, Tang Yihe, and Wang, linyi. All of them had profound friendship with Mr. Qin. Most of them, later, became masters of Chinese arts. They supported each other and worked hard for the common goal to develop fine arts in China.  In Paris, Mr. Qin also got to know Mr. Qu Beihong, and they then became  good friends. Mr. Qu helped Mr. Qin later in developing his lifetime art career.

(The group members photo of The Fine Arts Association of Chinese studying in France, the group photo of welcoming Mr. Qu Beihong.)