Temporal Context, Changes in Educational Systems, and Individual Interests: The Formation of Artistic Erudite Scholars among Chinese Overseas Students in the Early 20th Century

Abstract

This article examines a group of artists who excelled in multiple fields among Chinese overseas students in the early 20th century, with the aim of exploring the multifaceted reasons behind the emergence of these erudite scholars. First, during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, overseas students introduced Western art to China, ushering in the modern transformation of Chinese art. The early 20th century, marked by the blending of new learning and old learning, allowed overseas students to comprehensively understand the diversified knowledge systems of both Chinese and foreign cultures. Second, the influence of the art education model was significant. Earlier, under the influence of the normal Japanese education model and Eastern artistic concepts, there was an emphasis on the commonality of music, fine arts, and literature. However, with the introduction of the European art education model, the polymath phenomenon gradually diminished. Finally, the educational atmosphere within artists’ own families and their personal interests also significantly influenced the development of their diverse talents. This group of artistic polymaths represents a distinctive phenomenon in the cultural exchange and transformation period of modern Chinese society.