Dong Qichang and Artworks of the Late Ming and Early Qing DYNASTY: Taste for Connected Cursive Styles
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Epitaph for Xiang Yuanbian in Running Script (detail), By Dong Qichang, Ming dynasty, dated 1635 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)
Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
January 2, 2017 (Mon) - February 26, 2017 (Sun)Dong Qichang (1555–1636), a renowned literati from the Ming dynasty, was a high-ranking bureaucrat who excelled in calligraphy and painting. In calligraphy, he first studied works of Yan Zhenqing from Tang, tracing back to works from Wu and Jin dynasties including Wang Xizhi. He was against the stylized calligraphy of the time, and seeing light and plain styles as ideal, he added dynamic elements of unbroken lines. As for painting, after learning the four masters of the late Yuan dynasty, he traced the tradition back to Dong Yuan, extending to diverse styles of Song and Yuan dynasties. He inherited and followed the tradition of literati painting, and at the same time, painted in radical brushstrokes as a pioneer of eccentric painters. Dong Qichang also had distinguished insights in theories and appraisals of painting and calligraphy. Furthermore, because the Qing emperors Kangxi and Qianlong favored his works, Dong Qichang continued to be influential over the 300-year long Qing dynasty.On this 380th memorial year of Dong Qichang, this 14th collaborative project with the Taito City Calligraphy Museum features Dong Qichang who significantly influenced his following generations, together with works by artists who were active before and after him.
Current exhibit includes:
Cliff in a Mountainous Valley, By Wu Bin, Ming dynasty, dated 1615 (Private collection, On exhibit through January 15, 2017)
Immortals Wang Qiao and Chi Song at Mount Tianmu, By Lan Ying, Ming dynasty, dated 1629 (Private collection, On exhibit through January 15, 2017)
Watching the Waterfall at Lushan, By Shi Tao, Qing dynasty, 17th - 18th century (Important Cultural Property, Lent by the Sen-oku Hakuko-kan Museum, Kyoto, On exhibit through January 29, 2017)
The Anban Album, By Zhu Da, Qing dynasty, dated 1694 and 1702 (Important Cultural Property, Lent by the Senoku Hakuko-kan Museum, Kyoto, On exhibit through January 29, 2017)
Masterpieces of Calligraphy and Painting, By Wang Duo, Qing dynasty, dated 1649 (Lent by the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, On exhibit through January 29, 2017)
Poems and Prose in Running and Cursive Script, By Dong Qichang, Ming dynasty, dated 1603 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)