Liu Haisu: A Titan of Chinese Modern Art Liu Haisu (劉海粟), born Pan Jifang (潘吉芳) in 1896, was a transformative figure in twentieth-century Chinese art. Revered as one of the “Four Great Academy Presidents,” he spearheaded the establishment and advancement of Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, fundamentally reshaping artistic education and pushing boundaries of stylistic innovation. His unwavering dedication to painting from his youth—beginning with solitary study at Shanghai Art School—laid the groundwork for a prolific career marked by both masterful technique and profound intellectual engagemen…