Timeline

1908

Born on July 15 in Yongjia, Zhejiang Province
Father: Yan Shaoyao, a literate civil servant
Mother: Fang Shenyan

1921

While pursuing his studies, begins the study of wood carving at the age of 13 with his master Zhu Zichang, a renowned sculptor of the Wenzhou School during the Qing Dynasty

1927

Enrolls at Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts (SAFA), founded by painter Liu Haisu.
Studies anatomy based on living model

1929

Participates in the first national art exhibition sponsored by the Department Education in Shanghai

1930

Graduates from Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts (SAFA)

1931

Becomes the assistant of his teacher Jiang Xiaojian
Participates with him in the realization of an equestrian statue of General Chen Yinshi in Hangzhou

1934-1936

Appointed professor of wood carving, then professor of sculpture to SAFA

1936-1937

Executed several sculpture commissions, including the statue of Sun Yat-sen in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province. This statue is currently located at the entrance of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Wuquanshan Park. In 1937, with the support of Liu Haisu, he decided to continue his studies in France.

1938

March 13
Enters by France via Marseille after a month of crossing and arrives in Paris

1938

Enters the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-arts de Paris (ENSBA), Paris School of Fine Art, under the studio of Henri Bouchard as a free student and attends until 1946 Presents a wood carving brought from China, Colin-Maillard, as the first exhibition at the Society of French Artists at the Grand Palais Lives at 123, Boulevard Saint Michel, in the heart of the Latin Quarter.

1939

Joins the Franco-Chinese Association

1941-1946

Enrolls at the Faculty of Letters of the Sorbonne in the section Chinese Advanced Studies
Spends whole days at the Louvre, photographing works of art, making prints and annotating them.
Tours France and its museums during his years of study.

1941

Moves to 15 Rue Champollion, next to the Sorbonne

1942

Lives for a few months on rue Racine, still in the Latin Quarter
Plans to obtain a doctorate, but has to interrupt his studies during the war to try to earn his living. Most Chinese artists lived in great destitution during the occupation and experienced hunger.
Does a rural civil service internship with the aim of working in the fields

1943

Moves to the headquarters of the Chinese Artists Association in France
At 7 Villa Brune - Paris 14ème
Goes to Lyon during the Double Ten and visits his comrade Zhou Qingding, who often signed A Mo
« Mon vieil ami Dehui, garde bien cette photo prise à Lyon. Signed A Mo »

1945

Liberation of Paris -25.8.1944

1946

Enters Saupique’s studio at ENSBA
Takes trip to Italy
Visits Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Capri, Pompei, Palermo, Genoa, Modane
Wherever he travels, he never leaves his camera, documenting both local life and the works of art he sees in the many museums he visits.

1947

Visits UK (Glasgow, Edimbourg, Sheffield, Londres, Stratford, Cambridge, Oxford ...)

1948

Moves to 35, Rue de la Tombe Issoire - Paris 14th.
He kept this workshop located in an artists' city until 1964.
Travels to the Netherlands and Belgium