Page 224 - C.T. Loo A paper about his impact and activities in the Chinese art Market

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ignorant, prejudiced, conceited despot”, who was concerned more with his personal

power than fighting the Japanese (Van de Ven 2003, 4; quoted from the Papers of George

Catlett Marshall III, 157), Chiang criticized Stillwell for his arrogance and lack of

fighting experience. In 1944 Stilwell was dramatically recalled from duties in China as “a

430
case of clashing personalities”. Beneath the surface of their personal conflict was the

deep-rooted tension and mistrust between US and China over the issues of leadership and

aid (Cohen 2000, 127).

It is at this critical moment in Sino-American relations that Loo staged the exhibition

of works by General Stilwell’s daughter. The political undertone of the exhibition was

enhanced by its opening during Mme. Chiang Kai-shek’s visit to the U.S. In early 1943,

Mme. Chiang arrived in the United States on a diplomatic mission to drum up moral,

financial, and military support for the Chinese Nationalist government. The Wellesley-

educated Mme. Chiang with her flashy good looks and fluent English lavished her charm

on the American people. Her diplomatic role was illustrated by Wendell Willkie, the

American politician who visited China, “‘…with wit and charm, a generous and

understanding heart, a gracious and a beautiful manner and appearance, and a burning

conviction… Madame would be a perfect ambassador…we would listen to her as to no

one else.’” (Tuchman 1971, 334-5) The photo with Mme Chiang Kai-shek’s holding her

husband and General Stilwell clearly illustrates her mediating role in the uneasy

interpersonal and international relations (Fig. 77). Like a charming woman, Chinese art

could be used as a political tool in the international arena, as C. T. Loo stated, Chinese

430 “General Stilwell Dies: China-Burma Hero Headed 6 th Army.” New York Times,
October 13, 1946.