Four Seasons

Possessing the characteristics of an artist and a revolutionary, Gao Jianfu’s works are full of concern for the state and society. He participated in the Revolution of 1911 and devoted himself to art education after the founding of the Republic of China. Although he left politics, he cared for the society and during his lifetime, he arranged numerous charitable exhibitions for disaster relief and never stopped fulfilling responsibility and dedication as an artist.
According to the collector, a series of devastating floods occurred in Jianghuai area in 1931 due to the abnormal weather. The flood from Yellow River, Huai River, Yangtze River, and Pearl River made those regional disasters a national catastrophy. Gao Jianfu and Gao Qifeng led their students to organize a charitable exhibition to raise funds for disaster relief and Wu generously bought some of the works at high prices. Gao Jianfu was moved deeply by Wu’s generosity and in the next year he gave Wu the Four Seasons as a gift to express his gratitude.
Gao paints the sceneries with soft bright colours, making a hazy effect to create a romantic atmosphere. The beautiful sceneries of the four seasons, and the carefree fishermen and traveller symbolize people’s recovery from the floods. The cycle of the four seasons also contains the meaning of endless life.