HE HAIXIA (BORN 1908)

He Haixia was born in 1908 in Beijing (of the Man nationality). He acquired his knowledge and skills of traditional Chinese painting studying under Han Gongdian, and making a living by copying ancient paintings and authenticating calligraphy and paintings. In 1935, he became one of the students of master painter Zhang Daqian, and remained with him for fourteen years. His paintings were first exhibited in 1936 at a joint exhibition with Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi and Yu Fei'an. He Haixia settled down in Xi'an in 1949, and together with Shi Lu and Zhao Wangyun became known as the "Three Masters of Shanxi"; their style was referred to as the Chang'an School. He Haixia's works have exhibited both at home and abroad, and over the years several albums of his works have been published. Since 1988 he has been the honorary president of the Shanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting.