Wu Guanzhong (1919-2010) was from Yixing, Jiangsu Province. After his graduation from the National Art Training School in Hangzhou in 1942, he taught at National Chongqing University. In 1947, he went to France, to study oil painting at the École Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After his return in 1950, Wu held teaching positions at the Central Art Academy, Qinghua University and the Beijing Normal Arts Academy. He was sent to a labor camp during the Cultural Revolution. His last position was that of professor with the Central Industrial Art Academy.

Wu, who specialized in oil painting and Chinese painting, has had a number of exhibits in China and abroad. A painting by Wu of the Three Gorges in the Yangzi River hangs in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.