Modern Chinese painting embodies the constant renewal and reinvigorations of Chinese civilization amidst rebellions reforms and revolutions even if the process may appear confusing and bewildering. It also demonstrates the persistence of tradition and limits of continuities and changes in modern Chinese cluture. Most significantly it compels us to ask several important questions in the study of modern Chinese culture How extensively can cultural tradition be reinterpreted before it is subverted At what point is creative reinvention an act of betrayal of tradition How has selective borrowing from Chinese tradition and foreign cultrue enabled modern Chinese artists to sustain themselves in the modern world By focusing on the art of Huang Pinhung 18651955 particularly his late work this book attempts to provide some answers to these questions.