Opera Figures 

Lin Fengmian painted these opera figures using ink and colour on paper, but the date of the artwork remains unknown. Lin’s stylistic experiments sought to reconcile Chinese artistic traditions with Western modernism. The cultural and political background to this work is complex. Chinese opera was a hugely popular form of entertainment, but the early 20th century saw the rise of cultural reform movements that were deeply critical of traditional art forms. These reformers considered opera old-fashioned and superstitious. Lin Fengmian himself advocated for a more modern, individualistic art. However, the rise of Japanese militarism and the Chinese Communist Party created a renewed sense of national pride that saw the revival of many traditional art forms, including opera. Art historians can shed light on these nuances by considering the social context and political debates that shaped Lin Fengmian's artistic choices.