In the past decade of traditional Chinese art development, Xu Beihong (1895-1953) was undoubtedly one of the most important art educator and artist, who excelled in multiple genres from portraits, flower and bird and animal paintings. The artist carefully combined the skills from Chinese and Western paintings, ink and oil paintings, giving character to his works. In terms of aesthetic values, he was a prominent art advocate who built milestones in Chinese modern art development.

Xu Beihong learnt poems and paintings from his father then later pursued his studies in Japan and France at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts de Paris. Art development was at its peak during this period of his stay. After returning to China in 1927, he took up major roles in art institutions and universities including the Peking University, the National Central University and the Beiping Art School, bringing Western art values to Chinese art teaching. He revolutionized traditional aesthetic values of Chinese paintings, and advocated the belief of incorporating Western values into Chinese art, which could be easily observed in his paintings.

Xu believed that way of depiction in traditional Chinese paintings was the weakest element, thus he emphasized the importance of observation and live drawings, to capture light and shadow through lines and colours. Numerous of sketches of his typical horse paintings reflected his persistence in observation and live drawings, allowing his horse paintings to spring to life in their multifarious forms. However, one cannot limit his prodigy to his horse paintings.

Old Man under Cypress Trees was painted in 1944. The old cypress are thick and aged, soaring into the sky. Despite of its age, the trees are green with vivid colours, reflecting its liveliness, as if they have witnessed history. An elderly man is picking woods near the cypress trees. The trees were depicted with thick ink and rough lines, highlighting the loftiness and thick humidity of the forest. Xu’s skills reflect a traditional aesthetic values of Chinese traditional paintings and Western art depiction, enriching the value of this work.