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Hu Yefu (1908-1980) was born Guohua, later changed his name to Dingwen and Ruofu, and his courtesy name was Dakong, and his pseudonym was Guhua. He signed himself as the owner of Shihuilu. He was from Jinyao, Zhejiang. He graduated from Shanghai Xinhua Art School and worked as an editor at Shanghai Commercial Press and manager of Guomin Bookstore. He was good at calligraphy and painting, and followed Qiu Shizhou. He was good at painting ladies and occasionally painted landscapes in the style of Song and Yuan dynasties, which were elegant and extraordinary.

If we say that the ladies painted by Zhang Daqian are "white, plump and tall" (white skin, plump body and tall stature), with "three whites" on their faces (forehead, nose tip and chin covered with powder), bright colors, and the style of Dunhuang mural paintings, even if the modern girls wear cheongsam and high heels, they still look wealthy like Tang beauties; then, the ladies painted by Hu Yefu mostly have oval faces, pointed noses, cherry mouths, delicate eyebrows and eyes, and their hand shapes and gestures are different. They are elegant and moving, pure and beautiful without makeup, with a fresh and elegant aura that blows on your face, as if they are far away and near, and can be appreciated by both the elite and the masses.

Red Flowers in the Hair, hanging scroll, Dinghai (1947)

"A Brief Biography of Hu Ruofu" was written by Hu Yefu's son Hu Nanzhou. It said that his father's real name was Guohua. In 1929, he joined Shanghai Commercial Press to edit "Children's Pictorial" under the pen name Hu Ruofu. In the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, he taught himself Chinese painting and used the new name Hu Yefu. His studio was called Dakongtang, which sounds like Zhang Daqian's Dafengtang. It turned out that his most respected Chinese painter was Zhang Daqian. Hu Yefu was from Yuyao, Zhejiang. He was born in 1906 and died in 1980 at the age of 74. His paintings of ladies were the most famous. They were said to be the second best by Qiu Shizhou. Zhang Daqian believed that he could not paint the charm of ladies painted by Hu Yefu.

Hanging scroll of a lady playing the flute, 1950

Inscription: Imitating the mural painting style of Tang Dynasty. Written by Brother Ruisheng to congratulate Mr. Huaichen on the completion of his new building. Gengyin New Year's Day, also Buddha.

Hu Yefu's paintings of ladies have a light and elegant feeling, and are extraordinary. This painting depicts a lady playing the flute. Although she does not have fluttering sleeves, she looks like she is in the clouds and mist. The lines of the clothes are like silk and leather fabrics, with clear contours; the lines of the skirt are as soft as water, which is a light, soft and flexible silk fabric. The upper and lower clothes are plain, which contrasts with the gorgeous hairpin on the head and the brocade around the waist. The brush is used in the center, fluent and euphemistic, and full of expressiveness. The whole picture is bright and elegant, with the charm of Zhang Daqian's paintings.

Hanging scroll of a lady, created in 1943

Looking Back, hanging scroll, created in 1948

Hanging scroll of dressing table

Hanging scroll of a lady with a fan, created in 1947

Hanging scroll of a lady holding a fan

Magu Offering Longevity Hanging Scroll Painted in 1940

Lady leaning against bamboo, mirror, color on silk

Banana shade lady lens, colored on silk

Figure lens, colored on silk

Mirror lens, made in 1944 (RMB 2.07 million, June 2011, Shanghai Tianheng)

Beauty, double-cut, ink and color on silk

The breeze blows on your face

Spring Thoughts, 1943 (RMB 403,200, sold at Beijing Poly in March 2010)

1943 As a Beauty, Haggard Mirror Heart

Story of the Golden Lotus, ink and color on paper, painted in 1944

Inscribed: Hua Zhang Jun Meets Birds. Written by Ye Fo on the seventh night of the Jiashen year. Seals: Ye Fo, Ning Tian Xia Ren Bei Wu, Jing Feng Tang

The Golden Lotus is composed of the names of three women: Pan Jinlian, Li Ping'er and Chunmei. Pan Jinlian represents a woman who combines love, passion and charm and does not abide by the feudal code of conduct. Li Ping'er represents a virtuous wife and mother who follows her husband and carries on the family line. Chunmei represents a maid and a slave who are infinitely loyal to their master and his descendants and devote themselves to their work. They all live by Ximen Qing's side and play their different roles to the best of their ability.

People will never forget: in the new urban atmosphere of Shanghai, since freehand figure painting represented by Ren Bonian became a fashion, there is also such a painter Hu Yefu in the history of modern art, who mainly uses iron wire gossamer drawing, and his painting style is meticulous, clear and beautiful. His artworks are full of youthful vitality, and the traces of spring never age. Like other accomplished painters, the works of art are still there after the person is gone, and the paintings live longer than the person.

World Art Selection