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Tuesday, December 18, 2018, 12:46
Imperial splash
By Zhang Kun
Tuesday, December 18, 2018, 12:46 By Zhang Kun

Landscape painting by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artist Dong Qichang in the manner of old masters are among the pieces on show at the ongoing exhibition in Shanghai. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

One of the most important figures in Chinese art history, Dong Qichang (1555-1636), is being presented in a large-scale exhibition at Shanghai Museum.

Dong Qichang was by far the most influential figure in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. His artistic theories dominated the tone and principles for long after that

The Ferryman of Ink World: Dong Qichang's Calligraphy and Painting Art consists of 154 paintings and calligraphy works, partly from the museum's own collection and partly borrowed from 15 other museums and cultural institutions, including the Palace Museum in Beijing, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Tokyo National Museum.

This is the largest exhibition of Dong's works on the Chinese mainland, according to Yang Zhigang, director of Shanghai Museum.

Dong was born to a poor-but-learned family in Huating in today's Shanghai. He passed the imperial examination and worked in a series of government positions starting from age 35. During his career as an artist, which lasted until he turned 80, Dong made great efforts in exploring traditional Chinese art, collecting calligraphy and paintings.

Dong is now widely known for his art theories. He divided Chinese painting into northern and southern schools, traced their historical lineage and analyzed their aesthetic advantages.

He emphasized the moral power and spiritual heights of artists, especially literati art.

He also studied and analyzed Chinese inkand-brush painting.

Through his creation, Dong showed that he had learned from previous masters and developed his own style and methodology to become the leader of the Huating school. His artworks were widely sought after during his lifetime. His artistic achievements were praised by both critics and emperors after his death at age 82.

Other exhibits include works by important artists and calligraphers before him, who made great impact on his art, and those by later artists under his influence, according to Yang.

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Landscape painting by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artist Dong Qichang in the manner of old masters are among the pieces on show at the ongoing exhibition in Shanghai. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

"We hope to create a panoramic exhibition that presents the artist and his ideas in the context of the art history (of imperial China)."

Dong was by far the most influential figure in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. His artistic theories dominated the tone and principles for long after that, says Ling Lizhong, head of the art department of Shanghai Museum, who is also the curator of the exhibition.

While preparing for the exhibition, Ling made a list of all the works he wanted to show like a child writing to Santa Claus.

"I didn't think about whether it was possible to borrow these treasures and exhibit them in Shanghai. I just jotted down a dream list of artworks that I considered important and relevant for the exhibition."

Shanghai Museum managed to borrow more than 40 important paintings and calligraphy pieces from the other 15 museums and cultural institutions.

Among the most celebrated works is The Remaining Mountains, borrowed from the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou.

Landscape painting by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artist Dong Qichang in the manner of old masters are among the pieces on show at the ongoing exhibition in Shanghai. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

One of the few surviving works by painter Huang Gongwang (1269-1354), Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, was burned in 1650. Today, one part is kept at the Taipei Palace Museum in Taiwan, while the other-The Remaining Mountains-is stored at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum.

"Some important artworks, such as The Remaining Mountains, are very fragile and cannot be exhibited for more than a few weeks," Yang says.

Because of Dong's influence on Chinese art history, his works coexisted with forgeries, even during his lifetime.

Later on, artists went on to follow his style and techniques, and a lot of paintings were mistakenly considered Dong's creations. This has brought great challenges to the connoisseurship of Dong's works. The exhibition highlights some details and proof that helped academics decide whether a painting was Dong's.

READ MORE: Racing into the future

Landscape painting by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artist Dong Qichang in the manner of old masters are among the pieces on show at the ongoing exhibition in Shanghai. (PHOTO / CHINA DAILY)

Due to the fragility of some artworks, they can be displayed only for 45 days and then will be replaced by other works.

"If you want to experience the complete exhibition, you will have to make a total of four visits," says Yang.

The exhibition runs through March 10.

Contact the writer at zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn

A visitor stops at one of the exhibition's most-celebrated works, The Remaining Mountains. The other half of the painting, Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, by Huang Gongwang (1269-1354) is kept at the Taipei Palace Museum in Taiwan. (GAO ERQIANG / CHINA DAILY)

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