Ming Dynasty works on display at Long Museum
[Exhibition]

Ming Dynasty works on display at Long Museum

March 25, 2023  to  June 18, 2023
3398 Longteng Ave 龙腾大道3398号
Ming Dynasty works on display at Long Museum
Caption: "Vast" by Chen Hongshou, ink on silk, hanging scroll



As one of the most powerful dynasties in Chinese history, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) witnessed some of the most dramatic fusion of glories and tragedies.

From the founding emperor starting off as a deprived peasant to the last ruler hanging himself on a tree, dramas and legends ran throughout the Ming royal family.

"Emperor and Literati – Painting and Calligraphy from Ming Dynasty," an exhibition featuring 83 pieces and groups of calligraphy, paintings and letters of the Ming Dynasty is currently underway at Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai.

These classic masterpieces on loan from the collection of Liu Yiqian, founder of Long Museum, constitute a brief yet vivid history of the art of the Ming Dynasty. They cast light on the core spirit of literati – "If poor, they attended to their own virtue in solitude, if advanced to dignity, they made the whole kingdom virtuous as well."

According to Liu, "It was exactly such a spirit that the literati, despite the different choices they had made, held fast to."

The imperial court had always been the most paramount consumer of the production of art and luxury goods. But in the late Ming Dynasty, the literati class and wealthy families began to strive for a say on "taste," leading to art collecting becoming popular, with prominent painters and calligraphers being appreciated and gaining high reverence.

Big names such as Wen Zhengming (1470-1559), Shen Zhou (1427-1509), Dong Qichang (1555-1636) and Tang Yin (1470-1524) are on the list, providing a visual feast for lovers of the ancient Chinese art.

The calligraphy is a highlight of the exhibition. In fact, calligraphy was almost compulsory for literati who may not have been adept at painting. Even the emperor had to keep practicing calligraphy, because calligraphy writing had made its way into virtually all scenes of the life of the upper and literati classes.

Ming Dynasty works on display at Long Museum
Caption: Calligraphy work by Zhang Bi, Li Dongyang and others
Ming Dynasty works on display at Long Museum
Caption: Part of the "Running Script" by Wang Shouren



Exhibition info:

Date: Through June 18 (closed on Mondays), 10am-5:30pm

Venue: Long Museum West Bund

Address: 3398 Longteng Ave

龙腾大道3398号