Yan Jiyuan, whose name is Ping, is Suzhen, Laoji, Jigong, Jiangzhou Sanren, and Century Old Man. He was born in 1901 in Neijiang, Sichuan, and his ancestral home is Gaomi, Shandong. Member of China Artists Association, honorary president of Chongqing Traditional Chinese Painting Academy, vice chairman of Sichuan Artists Association, vice chairman of Sichuan Buddhist Association, and member of the Standing Committee of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He once served as vice chairman of Chongqing Artists Association and vice president of Chongqing Traditional Chinese Painting Academy. In 1935, he traveled east to Japan and studied at the Japan Railway Institute, Waseda University, and Tokyo University. After returning to China in 1938, he and Zhang Daqian jointly held a painting exhibition at the "Water Pavilion" in Peking Central Park. Later, they jointly held exhibitions with Daqian in Chengdu, Chongqing and other places many times. He had close friendships with Yu Youren, Xie Wuliang, He Xiangning, Guo Moruo, Zhang Daqian, Zhang Shanzi, Xie Yucen, etc., and enjoyed a high reputation in the painting circles at that time. He died in Chengdu due to illness on February 10, 2011 at the age of 110.
Yan Lao learned calligraphy and painting, classical poetry, and Wei and Jin calligraphy from his father at the age of seven. During his studies, he read extensively about ancient and modern calligraphy and painting, and studied theoretical techniques. I embarked on the art of calligraphy and painting and established my own style. With his unique profound knowledge and high artistic level, he has a wide range of interests, including poetry, calligraphy, painting and printing. He emphasizes the relationship between calligraphy and painting in his paintings. He believes that calligraphy and painting have the same origin and are the roots of each other. Painting is calligraphy, and calligraphy is painting method. Yan Lao's works, whether they are landscapes, figures, flowers and birds, animals, grass and insects, calligraphy, seal and hot brushwork, heavy color, splash ink, freehand brushwork, line drawing, and double hooks, are all exquisite and comprehensive. Chang, in the contemporary calligraphy and painting circles of our country, can be called a highly respected calligraphy and painting master who pursues the peak of art, is full of confidence, never succumbs to lateness, and has superb art. During his nearly century-long artistic career, he had deep friendships with Guo Moruo, Zhang Daqian, Zhang Shanzi, Yu Youren, Xie Wuliang, He Xiangning, Xie Yucen, etc. His artistic career had a huge influence throughout his life.
He is the master of the elegant and free Yan style of painting. His paintings not only have a great influence in China, but also have a wide influence in the United States, Japan, Singapore and other countries, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan. On the occasion of Chairman Mao's 70th birthday, he was invited by Guo Moruo to paint the traditional Chinese painting "Red Sun and Green Pine Garden" as a gift, which was deeply loved by Chairman Mao. In 1964, a painting exhibition was held at the CPPCC Auditorium in Beijing. After viewing it, Chairman Zhu De said, "There is a Zhang Daqian overseas. There is a Yan Jiyuan in China." In 1993, he held an exhibition at the Beijing Military Museum, which caused a sensation. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Yan Jiyuan exhibited in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shantou, Shunde and Shenzhen, all of which were great successes.