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Hidden Nude Sculptures Resurface in Shanghai’s Cultural Revival

4/3/2026

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The nude sculptures at the Cercle Sportif Français in Shanghai were hidden after Mao Zedong's 1949 takeover.
They were obscured by screens due to the Communist Party's disdain for perceived decadence.
The sculptures remained obscured until the 1980s.
Under Deng Xiaoping's leadership, China modernized and opened up, prompting a reevaluation of Shanghai's history.
Shanghai, emblematic of capitalism and imperialism, also reflected China's early embrace of modernity.

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Story summary

The nude sculptures at the Cercle Sportif Français in Shanghai were hidden after Mao Zedong's 1949 takeover.
They were obscured by screens due to the Communist Party's disdain for perceived decadence.
The sculptures remained obscured until the 1980s.
Under Deng Xiaoping's leadership, China modernized and opened up, prompting a reevaluation of Shanghai's history.
Shanghai, emblematic of capitalism and imperialism, also reflected China's early embrace of modernity.