A famed Chinese painter, now 87, is making headlines again as he and his wife, 37, welcome a biological son, while he also announces a complete severing of ties with his other children amid a high-profile scandal valued at about Rs 2,400 crore. The painter, Fan Zeng, stands as one of the most esteemed figures in contemporary Chinese art and has drawn intense public scrutiny over his personal decisions just as his long career continues to be celebrated.
Renowned for his mastery in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, Fan Zeng has been a dominant figure in the art market. Reports suggest his works have fetched more than 4 billion yuan at auctions between 2008 and 2024, with many pieces selling for upwards of 10 million yuan. One notable sale was a 1991 painting that brought in 18.4 million yuan at a Beijing auction in 2011. His calligraphy commands substantial prices as well, often around 200,000 yuan for a small section of work.
On December 11, Fan shared on social media that his wife, Xu Meng, had given birth to a son and that the newborn is his “sole child.” He said he has moved into a new home with Xu and their baby and, because of his advanced age, has entrusted Xu with full responsibility for managing family affairs.
In the same message, Fan declared that he would completely cut off contact with his daughter, Fan Xiaohui, his stepson, Fan Zhongda, and their relatives. He claimed that unnamed individuals were spreading rumors and harming his family, and he said he had revoked all permissions that would allow his other children to act in his name.
Fan’s family disputes have drawn attention in recent years. In August, his daughter alleged she could not reach her father and accused Xu of controlling him and selling artworks without permission. She also claimed that Fan, now in his eighties, was being manipulated and mistreated by Xu, including accusations that she secretly sold artworks valued at around 2 billion yuan. Fan’s company disputed these allegations, according to the South China Morning Post.
Fan Zeng was born in Jiangsu province and studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, where he trained under esteemed artists Li Keran and Li Kuchan. Despite ongoing controversy, his impact on the art world remains significant, with his works having been exhibited internationally for decades.
