Chang Dai-chien (Zhang Daqian) (1899-1983) is considered as the most important Chinese painter of the 20th century. His artistic genius and ability have left him unparalleled, and he is known as the "Picasso of the East." Chang evolved into a world-class poet, calligraphist, impressionist, and expressionist. His indelible influence on contemporary art history formed a bridge between China's past and present, as well as the East and the West. Chang left China in 1949 and traveled throughout the world until he died in Taiwan in 1983. Over 34 years living overseas, he desired, created and lived in his dreamland, "Peach Blossom Spring" from Argentina to Brazil, then California and Taiwan. As the first Chinese artist holding the most well-known international exhibitions worldwide, and as the world's biggest selling artist at auctions, his paintings have been collected by top museums, galleries, and private collections throughout the world. Yet, Chang's art has been little known in the western world, and his life journey after 1949 has remained a mystery to most Chinese.
