Wu Guanzhong, known as one of the fathers of modern Chinese painting, has died at age 91. Painter was first living Chinese artist to be exhibited at British Museum.

Wu died on Friday in Beijing, the Xinhua news agency reported Saturday. He died just after donating five ink pieces to the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the report said.

His most famous works include the oil paintings Hometown Of Lu Xun and The Three Gorges.

"A giant amongst artists of his generation, Wu was an inspiration to many and a towering figure in the artistic world," said a statement released Sunday by Kwok Kian Chow, director of Singapore's national gallery, a recipient of 113 works donated by the artist himself.

"His matchless act of philanthropy to our National Collection and to the people of Singapore will always be deeply appreciated."

Wu, known for his landscapes that blended Chinese ink with Western styles, graduated from China's National Arts Academy in Hangzhou in 1942. Four years later, he nabbed a scholarship to study at the prestigious École Nationale Supérieur des beaux-arts in Paris.

In labour camp during Cultural Revolution

He returned to China in 1950, first teaching at the Central Academy of Art in Beijing and then Tsinghua University and also the Beijing Fine Arts Normal College.

In 1972, during Mao Zedong's infamous Cultural Revolution, Wu was put in a labour camp and only allowed to paint on holidays.

After the revolution ended in 1976, Wu resumed his artistic pursuits and at age 59 held his first solo exhibition.

In 1991, Wu was made an officer of the order of arts and letters by the French government and one year later, he became the first living Chinese artist to have his works on exhibit at the British Museum.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong granted Wu an honorary doctorate in 2006.

Major collections of his works, which he generously donated, are at the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Singapore Art Museum.