Cao Fuluan (1935) was from Shanghai. In 1958, he graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Nanjing Normal University and he was sent to work in the Jiangsu Provincial Branch of the Chinese Artists Association. He transferred to the Nanjing Arts Institute in 1960, where he was assistant professor in the Design Teaching and Research Office in the Industrial Arts Department.
Cao was known for his oil painting, watercolor painting and Chinese painting. He was awarded various prizes. His work is included in the collection of the China Art Gallery.
