Leading 17th Century Chinese Painter On Exhibit
Metropolitan Museum of Art Holds Special Exhibit on Wang Hui
Aug 14, 2008
Titled Landscapes Clear and Radiant: The Art of Wang Hui (1632-1717), the exhibit follows Wang's artistic development from his early years as a reinterpreter of classic landscape styles to the pinnacle of his career-- when he was chosen to illustrate the Kangxi Emperor's 1690 inspection tour of China's cultural heartland.
This special exhibit is a compilation of 27 paintings from the Taipei and Beijing Palace Museums, Shanghai Museum, and several North American collections. Reading Next to the Window in the Mountains, for instance, is from the Palace Museum in Beijing, and Layered Rivers and Tiered Peaks is from the Shanghai Museum.
The exhibition is organized in four chronological sections, including Wang Hui's copies of old masters and the period in which he began to explore the potential of infinitely expandable handscroll formats.
In addition, it features 11 pieces that have never before been exhibited in the West, including two enormous panoramic landscape handscrolls.The exhibition also includes a selection of earlier landscapes, primarily from the Metropolitan Museum's own holdings.
Wang Hui, the Most Revered Painter of His Day
Wang Hui came from a family of painters, and began his career in 1651 when he was discovered by Wang Jian. He later became the pupil of Wang Shimin as well, and along with his two teachers and Wang Yuangi, became part of the the group of painters of the early Qing period (1644-1911) known as the Four Wangs. Like the other Wangs, he primarily painted landscapes.
Maxwell K. Hearn, the Douglas Dillon Curator of the museum's Department of Asian Art , describes Wang Hui as being the most revered painter of his day.
"Wang Hui played a key role in reinvigorating past traditions of landscape painting and in establishing the stylistic foundations for the imperially sponsored art of the Manchu Qing court," Hearn said. "He developed an all-embracing synthesis of historical landscape styles that constituted one of the greatest innovations in the arts of late imperial China."
Education Programs
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Met will hold a variety of education programs, including gallery talks and a September 30 documentary film screening of "A Day on the Grand Canal with the Emperor of China (1988)" directed by Philip Haas. The film follows British artist David Hockney as he shares his insights while examining a late 17th century Chinese scroll painting.
Curator Hearn will also lead a private gallery tour on November 20. The museum's website has schedules and details of related programming.
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