The Versatile Master Artist

Gu Weijing shrugged: ”The real surprise for me was the third clue. I saw this description in a missionary’s diary, mixed within the church archives.”

As he spoke, he pulled up the corresponding page.

[December 19, 1876, only one week left until Christmas. Father Andrew wanted us to prepare the wine for the sacrament, which wasn’t easy. I planned to go ask at the colonial governor’s mansion, where I’ve heard there’s grain-fed steaks and frozen beer shipped from overseas, but they’re special supplies for senior officials...]

Gu Weijing read—

[...I left the church gates and encountered an impressive Miss. She wore a sun hat and had sculpted features and golden-red hair. Truly an impressive girl. A textile merchant from Plymouth who had just finished confession approached her to invite her for coffee. She didn’t agree, as she was ”observing the world.” An unusual answer...]

[December 23... I met the girl again. I saw her carrying a painting board, could she be an artist? A female artist, as rare as a female sailor...]

[December 26... At midnight mass on Christmas Eve, I misspoke. Father Andrew wasn’t angry, just reminded me that I am God’s servant. I think he has discovered something.

These days, I often think of the girl with the golden hair, she’s truly beautiful. Sometimes I begin to doubt whether I’ve chosen the wrong profession.

If I hadn’t attended seminary, I would certainly have tried to pursue her...]

[December 31... I knew I shouldn’t do this, yet felt driven by the Devil, and went to several hotels in town. I wanted to inquire about the girl, even knowing her name would be a comfort to me.

Perhaps fortunate, perhaps punishment, the hotel staff immediately recognized who I was talking about, seemingly sharing my plight.

The hotel foreman told me he heard the girl’s companion call her Carol, but unfortunately, she’s already gone.

”She boarded a ship returning to Europe the day after Christmas,” said the foreman, visibly lost...]

Gu Weijing looked at Koizumi Katsuko, his tone excited: ”Shengzi, I think it’s the female artist with golden-red hair mentioned in the missionary’s diary. Though there aren’t more clues, December 1876 in itself is a great discovery!”

”1876, 1876, this means...”

Koizumi Katsuko also incredulously recited the date, in her excitement even grasping Gu Weijing’s hand.

”She precedes Mary Stevenson Cesat.” Koizumi Katsuko and Gu Weijing looked at each other, almost in unison, revealing the key point of the issue.

Mary Stevenson Cesat, known as the first female Impressionist great painter, she was Degas’s student, lover, and confidant.

She was born into a wealthy family in the United States, her father was a famous stockbroker in the United States.

At 22, her father issued an ultimatum to his art-obsessed daughter—”I’d rather see you dead than become a painter.”

This high society Miss nevertheless withstood the pressure from her father and society, went alone to Europe, followed Degas in learning painting, and became the first known female artist in modern society.

She also became one of the most important painters in the United States’s brief history.

Generally speaking, Miss Mary’s first Impressionist style work is the 1876 ”Little Girl in a Blue Armchair,” and the fully acknowledged work that mastered Impressionist technique is the 1879 ”Lydia in the Private Room.”

This is about three years later than the time noted in the missionary’s diary found by Gu Weijing.

Three years!

This indicates their discovery may update the entire understanding of art history.

Long before American painter Mary, there was already a female painter mastering the Impressionist style.

This is enough to cause a sensation in the professional art circles, how can one not be excited?

...

Noon passed quickly.

With the doors opening, Gu Weijing and Koizumi Katsuko walked out of the double self-study room together.

”You truly found a remarkable discovery.”

Koizumi Katsuko’s tone still carried a sense of wonder.

”It’s ours.” Gu Weijing said with a smile.

”Hurry, we have class in the afternoon!”

The door to the study room ahead suddenly opened and the disheveled couple hurriedly adjusted their jackets, rushing toward the elevator.

”Continue tomorrow.”

The boy, wildly pressing the elevator buttons, said to the girl with a grin.

”You jerk.”

The girl spat quietly, fiercely pinching the boy’s arm.

Koizumi Katsuko looked at the two ”students” with clothes in disarray, showing a confused expression.

Gu Weijing gently pulled Koizumi Katsuko’s sleeve, moving a bit away from the couple still warm from their intense exercise.

However, the boy still noticed the movement on this side.

He turned his head and saw Gu Weijing.

He didn’t recognize Gu Weijing, being a year or two younger and not a campus celebrity.

But when his gaze fell on Koizumi Katsuko beside him, he was startled by the girl’s looks.

The boy immediately turned back around, sizing up Gu Weijing, and as Gu Weijing entered the elevator, he secretly patted Gu Weijing’s shoulder while his girlfriend wasn’t watching.

What the hell?

How did this genuine admiration expression like seeing someone slam dunk after watching a basketball class come about, the ”Bro, you’re really awesome” demeanor?

What the hell did he misunderstand?