Fetching Water [Photo provided to China Daily]

Wu Zuoren (1908-97) was one of the top Chinese students studying art in Europe. While he was attending the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels during the 1930s, he won two gold medals for his paintings and sculptures.

After he returned to his homeland, Wu came to realize that the techniques he had learned in Europe were not enough if didn't endeavor to root his oil paintings in the soil of Chinese art and use it to serve his people.