Wu Dayu

We authenticate, certify, issue certificates of authenticity (COA), appraise the value and broker the sale of paintings and drawings by WU Dayu.

Chinese

Born: 1903, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Died: 1988, Shanghai, China, aged 85

He spent most of his life in China, particularly in Shanghai, where he became a central figure in the modern Chinese art scene. He also spent time in Europe, studying and absorbing influences from Western modernism, which informed his later work.

Typical Subject Matter

WU Dayu typically painted landscapes, figures, and still lifes, blending traditional Chinese ink techniques with Western artistic influences. He is particularly known for his dynamic interpretations of nature, including flora and fauna, which he depicted with an expressive and often abstract approach. His works evoke the natural world through simplified forms and expressive colour, aiming to inspire emotional resonance rather than literal representation.

In addition to painting, WU Dayu played a major role in art education in China, and his ideas significantly influenced younger generations of Chinese modernist painters.

Typical Style

WU Dayu’s style is marked by a shift toward abstraction. He reinterpreted elements of classical Chinese painting—particularly landscapes—through the use of geometric and angular forms. His compositions often strip the subject down to its essential visual components, while still evoking recognizable natural themes. His use of fluid brushstrokes and expressive colour—especially various shades of blue—brings vitality to his work.

Although his pieces may appear non-representational at first glance, many contain symbolic imagery or recognizable subjects that emerge upon closer inspection. WU Dayu’s approach to depth and perspective is unconventional—often replaced by rhythmic diagonal lines that synthesize space and motion.

Typical Material and Media

WU Dayu primarily worked in ink and watercolour on paper. He also used oil paints and pastels, especially in his later works, embracing Western media while retaining a uniquely Chinese visual language. Some of his works were painted on silk, lending them a softer and luminous quality.

If you own a painting or a drawing by or attributed to Wu Dayu, we would like to learn about it. Please send us photos or contact us at [email protected]. You will generally receive a response within 24 hours.