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Speakers: Huang Anlun, Chen Yan
When the brushstrokes of painting intertwine with the melodies of music, how shall we interpret the enduring spirit of a master? Recently, the “Lecture Series for the 130th Anniversary of Xu Beihong’s Birth” was held with great success at Shenzhen Polytechnic University. Co-organized by Shenzhen Polytechnic University and the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center, the event featured distinguished speakers including renowned composer Mr. Huang Anlun, Mr. Zhang Wenchang from the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center, and SZPT faculty member Ms. Chen Yan. Together, they led students from the School of Music on an immersive artistic journey that bridged the realms of visual art and music.
From Han Gan to Xu Beihong: The Journey of a Horse’s ‘East-West Fusion’
At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Chen Yan, using the “horse” as a thematic thread, systematically outlined the evolution of horse painting in Chinese art for the students. She traversed from the powerful and majestic steeds of Tang Dynasty Han Gan, through the scholarly elegance of Yuan Dynasty Zhao Mengfu, to the realistic techniques integrating Western light and shadow by Qing Dynasty Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining), finally focusing on the groundbreaking achievements of modern master Xu Beihong. She explained that the reason Xu Beihong’s horses are considered “unprecedented” lies in his seamless integration of Western oil painting’s solid compositional structure and anatomical precision into the expressive charm of traditional Chinese ink-wash painting, thereby creating uniquely dynamic and impassioned galloping horses.
Founder and Educator: A Multifaceted Xu Beihong
Following this, Mr. Zhang Wenchang, Director of the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center, provided vivid additional context to Xu Beihong’s life and legacy. He helped students understand that Xu Beihong was not only a master artist but also a pivotal founder of art education in China. He dedicated his life’s work to establishing and developing China’s modern art education system, the profound impact of which continues to resonate today.
Symphony of Sights and Sounds: Hearing the Painting “The Sound of Xiao《箫声》” Through Flute Melodies
The climax of the event was an innovative music appreciation session, where renowned composer Mr. Huang Anlun and Professor Chen Yan jointly guided students into the realm where music and painting converge.
Mr. Huang Anlun began by sharing insights from his creative journey, eloquently expounding his artistic philosophy while simultaneously offering live improvisational demonstrations at the piano. He skillfully broke down how music shapes imagery and conveys emotion, making profound concepts accessible to all.
When discussing his symphonic poem “Xu Beihong’s Artistic Realm Caprice《徐悲鸿画境随想》”, he revealed that as an ardent admirer of Xu Beihong, he was invited by his close friend Xu Fangfang (the master’s daughter) to create piano works inspired by Xu’s iconic paintings “The Sound of Xiao《箫声》” and “Galloping Horse《奔马》”, which later evolved into the symphonic poem “Xu Beihong’s Artistic Realm Caprice《徐悲鸿画境随想》”.
A live flute performance by a music performance major then ensued, its ethereal melody seemingly giving voice to the painting’s tranquil solitude, as if softly narrating the contemplative stillness and lingering melancholy of the figure within.
During the lecture, Mr. Huang Anlun shared his core artistic philosophy with profound sincerity: “A musician’s place in history is defined by their contribution to the musical development of their own nation.” This powerful message, which mirrors his own creative journey, resonates deeply with Xu Beihong’s spirit of integrating Western techniques to revitalize national art. It has left a lasting imprint on the hearts and minds of every student present.
This event was more than a transfer of knowledge—it was an artistic awakening. By transcending the boundaries between visual art and music, it allowed students to profoundly understand that all great arts ultimately share the same purpose: to stay rooted in one’s nation, to serve the people, and to achieve timeless vitality through continuous innovation and fusion.
