Sanyu (1901-1966) was born in a rich family in Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China. In his childhood, he learned calligraphy with calligrapher Zhao Xi. He also learned traditional Chinese landscape painting. In addition, the real enlightenment of his artistic career was the “Diligent Work-Frugal Study Movement,” which was advocated by Cai Yuan-Pei. Thanks to this program, Sanyu went to Paris in 1921, becoming one of the earliest students in China to study abroad in France, just like Xu Beihong, Lin Fengmian, and Pan Yuliang around the same time. Instead of accepting formal academic education of fine art like other art students, Sanyu chose to learn painting in the free atmosphere of Académie de la Grande Chaumière. Sanyu, being a romantic, always hung around in cafés in Montparnasse. In 1964, he was invited by the Ministry of Education to return and teach in Taiwan and hold his solo exhibition in the National Museum of History. However, he could not make the trip for personal reason. In 1966, he passed away in Paris because of a gas poisoning accident.

Sources: National Museum of History