Chinese artist Wen Lipeng created the oil painting “Ode to the Red Candle” in 1979 in memory of his father Wen Yiduo, a prominent Chinese poet and scholar.

Wen Yiduo was also a fearless warrior in China’s democratic revolutionary movements in the 20th century. 

He traveled to the U.S. in the early 1920s where he studied fine arts and literature. After three years, he returned to China in 1925.

As a patriotic poet, he was disillusioned about the weakness of the government at that time to resist foreign aggression. 

He stopped writing poetry in 1931 and became increasingly involved in social criticism.

During the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), he was exposed to progressive ideas while teaching at the National Southwest Associated University.

He joined the China Democratic League and participated in social and political activities.

His articles and speeches had inspired numerous Chinese people to fight for democratic unity and peaceful nation building. 

However, the KMT was determined to suppress democratic movements and launched China’s civil war in 1946. 

On July 11, 1946, Li Gongpu, a key leader of the China Democratic League, was killed by the KMT agents.

At Li’s memorial, Wen Yiduo made an impassioned “Last Speech,” denouncing the KMT.

Wen was assassinated days later by KMT secret agents. He was just 46 years old. 

His death shocked people nationwide and enlightened more patriots to carry on his spirit to fight for the future of China.

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