The Destruction of Civilization

Gao Jianfu,primary name Lun, courtesy names Jueting and Jianfu, was a native of Panyu, Guangdong province. He was a leading advocate of the New Chinese Painting Movement and a renowned art educationalist. He first learned traditional painting with Ju Lian (1828-1904), then went to Japan for further studies. On returning home, he started to agitate for the merger of Chinese painting methods with Western techniques. His revolutionary thoughts led him to join the Revolution of 1911, as well as to advocate reforms in art which corresponded to contemporary ideologies. His influence was far reaching, as he founded the Lingnan School of painting, along with Gao Qifeng (1889-1933), his brother, and Chen Shuren (1883-1948).

Painted in 1941, the work was interpreted by the painter’s student and friend, Jian Youwen (1896-1978), as an allegory of the destruction of Christianity by Nazi Germany. Although this is the only instance in which Gao Jianfu used the symbol of the cross, he presents a compelling image that pivots the unsettling damage of the towering Christian symbol in the foreground at three quarters view. Such a composition heightens the suspense of the imminent fall of the towering symbol. Therefore, the significance of this painting is not simply due to its political meaning, but also in the innovative way in which the meaning was conveyed. This compelling image recalls the comment by Xu Beihong (1895-1953) that Gao’s art was “heroic and free, like the sound of a great bell. Those who are used to refined and luxurious sounds certainly cannot appreciate it. Really [he is] the forerunner of the revival of Chinese art.”