Art education in China in the XX century: national traits, international trends, and Russian influence (on the example of the Central Academy of Fine Arts)

Abstract

The Central Academy of Fine Arts is the only higher education institution of fine arts under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. The history of the National Art School in Beiping dates back to the establishment of the National School of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1918, which was supported by the prominent pedagogue of art and its first director Cai Yuanpei. It was the first national school in the history of China, laid the foundation for the modern Chinese education in the field of fine arts. This article is dedicated to the analysis of the key events of more than a century-long history of the school, which allows tracings the evolution of the Chinese art education, and gives a better perspective on the role of modern China in the art world. The novelty of this work lies consists in description of the process of establishment of art education in China in the XX century, classification of the national traits of this period on the example of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, as well as analysis of the Soviet impact upon the Chinese education in the field of art history. The international cooperation with the Russian School of Painting, namely I. E. Repin Academy of Fine Arts had a beneficial impact. The study of Chinese students in the USSR allowed the following generations to implement such valuable experience. The ancient techniques and plotline received a new life in the works of modern artists, which are justifiably regarded as the achievement and progress in the national culture.