Jin Shangyi, was born in Jiaozuo, Henan Province in 1934. He established his unique personal characteristics by combining traditional Chinese aesthetic concepts and European classical oil painting skills, and became the leading figure of contemporary Chinese “neo-classicist” realistic oil painting. He also undertook research on oil painting teaching, skill and theory, and published over 40 essays and works. In 1953 he graduated from the Department of Painting, CAFA. In 1957, he graduated from the former Maksimov Oil Painting Training Class in the Soviet Union.
Currently he is a Member of the Standing Committee of CPPCC, Director of China National Art Education Association, Honorary Chairman of China Artists Association, consultant and researcher of the Oil Painting Department of the China National Academy of Painting, and Curator of Dadu Museum of Art. Since 1957 he taught at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA). He served also as President of CAFA and Chairman of China Artists Association. Among his Representative Works are: Chairman Mao on the December Meeting, Tajikistan Bride, A Young Woman Singer, Qu Qiubai in Prison, Doctor, Huang Binhong in Late Years, Thinning Hair. He has the following main exhibition to his credit: 2009 “Jin Shangyi Donation Exhibition” hosted by the Art Department of Ministry of Culture and the National Art Museum of China. In 2006 he received the “Plastic Arts Achievement Award” by the China Federation of Literary and Art and in 2011 the “Lifetime Achievement Award” – The 1st Chinese Art Prize.