Sample Exhibitions of the National Palace Museum (I)

As introduced by the National Palace Museum

Treasured Paintings and Calligraphy

The quality and quantity of the paintings and calligraphy in the National Palace Museum is renowned and unrivaled in the world. During the months of October and November, when climatic conditions are optimal, the museum proudly displays a selection of a twenty representative, ancient works from a group of sixty.

Chinese paintings and calligraphy are done on woven silk and paper. The ink, mineral pigments and organic colors applied age and deteriorate easily with exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity and light. The results are cracking, flaking and fading. Therefore, these early master works, that date between the Chin Dynasty (307-365) and Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), are only displayed for a total of forty days in very carefully controlled conditions, after which they are stored for three years until they are again exhibited for the public's pleasure.

The selection in this page comprises sixteen paintings and four calligraphic works. Although all of them are equally priceless and interesting, a few shall be specifically mentioned here.

The painting Wen-chi Returning to China illustrates the true saga (which became a legend) of a talented and beautiful woman who was caught by a northern tribe and married to their chief. She bore the chief two sons, but was later ransomed back by the Han Chinese. The painting delicately captures the moment of Wen-chi's parting, suggesting the agony she must have suffered when bidding her sons farewell.

The painting Ladies' Book of Filial Piety delicately depicts in fine black ink scenes of Tang-like court ladies. The text that follows, which was illustrated by this painting, was written by the Sung Dynasty emperor, Kao-tsung, who was a very talented calligrapher. Filial piety is a very ancient and important concept to the Chinese who from a very early beginning worshipped their ancestors and showed great respect for the elderly.

Another work on display is The Red Cliff. It is an illustration of a very famous prose-poem by the Northern Sung poet, Su Shih, who took some friends on a boating trip down the Yangtze River to view this site where a battle had occurred during the Han Dynasty. Though not red in color, the cliff is overwhelming and spectacular in height as seen in the painting. This handscroll is an important landmark in the history of Chin Dynasty landscape painting, for very few paintings can be reliably dated to this period.

Besides the works of art mentioned above, there are many other superb masterpieces that all are encouraged to view and enjoy.