Introduction to the work:
Jin Shangyi was born in 1934, a native of Jiaozuo, Henan. He graduated from Maximov Oil Painting Training Class of the academy in 1957. He currently holds the posts of professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Chairman of China Artists Association, and vice Chairman of China Oil Painting Institute.

In 1981, Jin Shangyi went to many famous museums when visiting America. He was impressed by the bright and dark contrast of western painting. Those masters' way to create atmosphere inspired him greatly. This work won a Silver Prize on the 6th National Fine Art Exhibition. The artist infuses his esthetic value in the work. Qu Qiubai was an important leader of the CPC in its early days. At the same time, Qu was also and artistic theorist. In 1935, he was arrested and murdered by KMT. At that time, he was only 36.In this picture, Qu was in prison. He was in the lower left of the picture; his leaning body and supporting hand formed a stable pyramid. The simple background lefts people much room for imagination. The handling of the light produces special visual effect, which is necessary to portray the profound inner world of the character. There is no revolutionary red color, or a heroic character, but a scholar, who is calm and strong. The work is a reflection of the liberation of mind for portrait artists. His representative works in that period include: Tajik Bride and The Doctor