JIN ZHILIN (b. 1928)
Beijing, China
SONG RUXIN (b. 1946)
Yan'an, China

"Medical Workers at Mao’s Phoenix Mountain Residence" 1977
gouache on paper, 13 1/8" x 15 3/8"

A peasant describes Canadian Dr. Norman Bethune’s participation in the Communist Revolution in front of a picture of Mao with Doctor Bethune. The Chinese revere him for his service and his example of selflessly “serving the people.” The location is one of Mao’s Yan’an residences that is now one of many historical landmarks in Yan’an visited by Party cadre during training. The youth in the foreground with a small medical bag is a “barefoot doctor.” Many urban youth were given minimal medical training and sent to the countryside as healthcare workers to provide basic healthcare and promote hygiene.