Gao Quan (1936-) was born in Bengbu, Anhui.

In 1961, he graduated from the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and stayed as a teaching assistant in Dong Xiwen's studio. In 1962, he was transferred to the army.

He has successively worked in the Navy, the General Political Bureau, the People's Liberation Army Art Academy, and the Military Museum. He has successively served as an artist, art editor, art teacher, director of the art creation room, member of the Chinese Artists Association, member of the Oil Painting Art Committee of the Artists Association, and director of the Chinese Oil Painting Society.

Vice president of the Chinese Mural Society, consultant of the American Oriental Art Foundation, and a national first-class artist.