The years straddling the late Ming and the early Qing signified a period of dramatic change in Chinese history. Politically, China was experiencing a period of regime transition; socially and economically, the feudalistic society was giving way to capitalism that was looming in the horizon. All these have left their marks on the development of arts and culture. Chinese painting, in particular, ebbed and flowed against this backdrop with a great number of accomplished painters dedicated to perpetuating the great tradition and to bringing about a transformation. On one end of the painting spectrum, there were the eccentric artists with their unconventional works; on the other, there were the relatively more orthodox ones with their synthetic paintings. The myriad styles so produced have combined to impress the world with the profundity and diversity of Chinese painting.

Themed “Nobility and Virtue: A Selection of Late Ming and Early Qing Paintings and Calligraphies from the Chih Lo Lou Collection”, the exhibition will showcase about 80 items of late Ming and early Qing paintings and calligraphic works from the Chih Lo Lou Collection. Initiated by Mr Ho Iu Kwong (1907 – 2006) in around the 1940s and 1950s, “Chih Lo Lou” has now become an important local private collection of paintings and calligraphies which is highly acclaimed by scholars and artists around the world especially for its late Ming and early Qing masterpieces. At this upcoming exhibition, visitors will have a chance to appreciate a selection of important paintings and calligraphies by some of the renowned masters from the period, namely Huang Daozhou (1585 – 1646), Lan Ying (1585 – ca.1664), Xiao Yuncong (1596 – 1673), Chen Zizhuang (1597 – 1647), Kuang Lu (1604 – 1651), Fang Yizhi (1611 – 1671), the Four Monks (also known as Hongren (1610 – 1664), Kuncan (1612 – 1673), Shitao (1642 – 1707) and Zhu Da (1626 – 1705) ) , Gong Xian (1619 – 1689), Zha Shibiao (1615 – 1697) and so on.

Trapped in the transition while precipitated into drastic changes, these artists intended to communicate their uneasy resignation, spiritual ideals and lofty aspirations to us through paintings and calligraphies that come in a wide array of styles, ushering in a brand-new mainstream painting tradition in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd.
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit making) Ltd.