Lu Xiaoman (Chinese: 陆小曼; pinyin: Lù Xiǎomàn; 7 November 1903 – 3 April 1965) was a beloved cultural figure in 20th century Chinese history.[1][2] She was given the name of Mei (眉, eyebrow, a metaphor for feminine beauty in Chinese), but later changed her name to Xiaoman. Although she was well known for her very passionate and public relationship with Xu Zhimo, she was a celebrated painter, writer, singer, and actor. She studied under painters such as Liu Haisu,[3] Chen Banding (陈半丁),[4] and He Tianjian.[5]
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As an artist, she specialized in flowers, birds, and light ink landscapes (danmo shanshui) on long Chinese scrolls. She was also known to write poetry, prose, and fiction, but her writings were never published. Nevertheless, her appreciation for poetry inspired her to create a series of ink paintings in honor of the Tang poet Du Fu, which are displayed at his commemorative historical site. Lu Xiaoman was also a singer, and she debuted on stage after receiving training in the renowned Peking Opera (Jingju). She quickly gained attention from bachelors of wealthy, famous families after her first performance, which led to her rise in fame. In the 1950s and 60's, she worked as a paid artist at the Shanghai Academy of Chinese Painting, but only to produce works for the academy. Even so, she was able to create and successfully sell paintings at Duoyun Zhai apart from her obligations to the academy.
Early life and education
editLu was born in Shanghai in 1903 and raised in Changzhou, Jiangsu province.
She was educated in Beijing Women's Normal Primary (北京女子师范大学附属小学) when she was 7 years old. She attended Beijing Girls' Junior High (北京女中) at the age of 9 and finished at 14. She later attended Beijing Sacred Heart School (北京圣心学堂). She also studied in France and was fluent in English and French by the age of 18. Chen Yi, the mayor of Shanghai, gave her a position in the Shanghai Institute of Culture and History after learning that she had remained in the city after the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949.
Career and personal life
editShe was employed by Gu Weijun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Government, as a Trade Interpreter. In 1922, she married Wang Geng (王赓), but they divorced soon after their marriage.[6][7] After that, she was in a relationship with Xu Zhimo,[8] which caused a great stir as two divorcees getting married was considered radical even among China's progressives.[9] In 1931, Xu died in a plane crash.[10]
Character evaluation
edit"Lu Xiaoman was a Prometheus who shook the Chinese literary and artistic circles in the 1920s."(Comments by Yu Dafu)[11]
"Lu Xiaoman is a sight that must be seen." (Comments by Hu Shi)[12]
"Her eyes are also talking, and the secret of her heart is reflected in her eyes." (Comments by Xu Zhimo)[11]
References
edit
- ^ Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A.D. Stefanowska, ed. (2003). Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: The Twentieth Century 1912-2000. Vol. 2. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 978-0-7656-0798-0.
- ^ "陆小曼:一个民国名媛与四个才子的传奇故事" [Lu Xiaoman: The legendary story of a socialite and four talented men in the Republic of China]. 2017-06-26.
- ^ "Liu Haisu". Dashuhua.com. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ [1][permanent dead link]
- ^ "He Tianjian". Shtong.gov.cn. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "王赓，一个西点军校的高材生，一个被陆小曼彻底毁了的男人" [Wang Geng, a top student, a man completely ruined by Lu Xiaoman]. www.163.com. 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ^ "陆小曼前夫王赓：成全妻子与徐志摩，自己终身未娶，最终长眠异国" [Lu Xiaoman’s ex-husband Wang Geng: He married his wife and Xu Zhimo, he never married, and finally died in a foreign country]. 2022-01-11.
- ^ "徐志摩简介 - 徐志摩文学网(zhs2008.com)". Xzm.zhs2008.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-16. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "陆小曼和徐志摩爱得惊天动地，为什么婚后却不幸福？" [Lu Xiaoman and Xu Zhimo are so in love, why are they not happy after marriage?]. 天天看点 (in Chinese). 2021-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ^ "1931年11月19日 诗人徐志摩空难丧生" [On November 19, 1931, poet Xu Zhimo died in a plane crash.]. news.pku.edu.cn. 2006-11-19. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ^ a b "当代作家探究民国传奇女子 林徽因陆小曼谁更纯情_文化频道_凤凰网" [Contemporary writers explore legendary women of the Republic of China]. culture.ifeng.com. 2013-09-02. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ^ "为养活陆小曼，徐志摩在三所大学打工，胡适还赞她是"一道不可不看的风景"" [Hu Shi commented on Lu Xiaoman]. ishare.ifeng.com (in Chinese). 2020-09-21. Retrieved 2023-11-25.