“Naked Truth”: Pan Yuliang and Her Art

Pan Yuliang 潘玉良 (1895-1977), a pioneering figure in modern Chinese art, masterfully blended Western styles with traditional Chinese art elements. Her remarkable journey from a tumultuous childhood to becoming an internationally acclaimed artist underscores her resilience and revolutionary impact on the portrayal of women in art—not merely as objects, but as subjects with agency and depth. Her personal sufferings became the nutrients for her works, enriching them with deep feelings and unique perspectives. Pan’s diverse background and education, including her studies at the Shanghai Art School and further training in Lyon, Paris, and Rome, endowed her with a rich artistic vocabulary. Her depictions of female nudes, often using herself as a model, challenged contemporary Chinese norms and offered a radical redefinition of female representation. Her art transcended the male gaze, presenting a profound self[1]gaze that reflected her personal experiences and struggles as a woman, an artist, and an étranger in France. By blending traditional Chinese brushwork and ink techniques with Western styles, she forged a new artistic language that subtly undermined European artistic conventions. Despite facing criticism and marginalization, Pan’s legacy in modern art remains significant. Living in France from 1937 until her death, she was distanced from the political upheavals in China but left an indelible mark on its artistic heritage. This paper argues that Pan Yuliang not only navigated but also challenged the societal and artistic labels imposed on her, offering her own interpretations of tradition and modernity, East and West, and feminism.