Chinese Painting: Scholar Rocks
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Elegant Gathering in Chengnan (detail)
By Yu Zhiding, China, Qing dynasty, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro)Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
May 18, 2021 (Tue) - June 20, 2021 (Sun)Chinese art often features strange-looking rocks with intricate twists and numerous holes. Fascination with such rocks has a long history. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), the poet Bai Juyi (772–846) described them in his Account of Lake Tai Rocks. Successive generations of rock enthusiasts not only collected and appreciated them, but also tried to express their beauty in paintings. This exhibition features such paintings from the 17th to the 20th century.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Lake Tai Rock | By Yu Sheng (1962–after 1767), China | Qing dynasty, 18th century | Private collection | |||
| Highlight | Cloud Root | By Wu Changshuo (1844–1927), China | Republic period, 1912 | Private collection | |||
| Highlight | Elegant Gathering in Chengnan | By Yu Zhiding (1647–1716), China | Qing dynasty, 17th century | Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujiro, TA-198 |