While his Western-style sculptures were on show at Parisian exhibitions and collected by museums, he also endeavored to make his home art better known to Europeans.

He exhibited a wood carving, Hide and Seek, at a show at the Grand Palais in 1938. He joined the Chinese Society of Art in France which promoted traditional Chinese art. And his graduation thesis was a study of the sculptures of the Jin (265-420) and Sui (581-618) dynasties.

Wu Weishan says the Chinese side of Yan's art continued to influence his work, especially those in the later stage of his career.

"His works, enriched by spirituality and philosophy of his home art, allowed him to initiate a smooth dialogue between the East and the West," he sums up.

Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn