Exhibition reveals the artistic world of celebrated couple

Now on view at the China National Academy of Painting, Passing on Artistic Legacy by a Renowned Couple offers visitors a glimpse into the Wu family's enduring efforts to preserve and revitalize Chinese cultural traditions. The exhibition features selected works from Wu Huan's recent donation alongside archival materials and artworks connected to the family.

For audiences mainly familiar with the couple's achievements in performance and theater, the exhibition, running through June 3, also highlights their accomplishments in painting and calligraphy. Born into a scholarly family with a long artistic tradition, Wu Zuguang developed a refined eye for painting and calligraphy from an early age. The exhibition traces both his family heritage and his close ties with many of the leading cultural figures of his era.

Xin Fengxia, despite her humble beginnings, demonstrated extraordinary talent and dedication not only in Pingju Opera but also in painting. She studied under the legendary ink painter Qi Baishi. The exhibition includes Wu's calligraphy, as well as paintings created by Xin and accompanied by Wu's inscriptions and commentaries.

Together, the works on display offer a rare look into the couple's rich private cultural world and the vibrant artistic circles they helped shape.