Yan Han (1916——2011) was born in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, the famous engraving painter in China. He studied in the National Hangzhou Art College in 1935. He graduated from the Yanan Luxun Academy of Fine Arts. He participated in woodcarving working group in Luxun Academy of Fine Arts. He was a teacher of Fine Arts Department of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, art department of North China University. After the liberation, he was a teacher of the East China Branch of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Central Academy of Fine Arts and Beijing Academy of Fine Arts. He was a deputy director of Fine Arts for the People's Heroes Monument in Tiananmen Square, Secretary of China Artists Association and Vice——Chairman of the Chinese Engraving Painter Association.

Yan Han’s creation passed through different periods. There are not only distinct differences but also a clear association on the form of performance. His early works are portrayal of real life and battle in liberated area filled with rich flavor of life. It has rare artistic value and historical value. After then, the works gradually showed from the figural art to abstract, from realism to symbol and metaphor. The works are full of moral, philosophical and full of artistic passion and strength. No matter styles change, his works always show the time spirit and qualities of services for people. For a creative artist, explore is the eternal and art is always the challenge for him.

Yan Han donated 50 engravings for National Art Museum of China in 2006. In the Memorial Exhibition, we select part of the representative works for exhibition from the collection of Yan Han engraving to express our deepest condolences feelings to Mr. Yan Han.