On the afternoon of December 8, an exhibition featuring modern celebrities’ handwriting and painting works collected by NJU opened at the NJU Museum of Fine Art. Attendants present at the opening ceremony included President Lyu Jian, Deputy-secretary Xue Hailin, Professors Guo Guangyin and Ding Fan, and representatives from various departments. The ceremony was presided over by Chen Yunsong, Standing Member of the CPC NJU Committee and Head of the NJU Department of Publicity.
On behalf of Professor Gu Ying of Nanjing University of the Arts, Miss Qin Lan from Qingliang Academy of Calligraphy and Painting made a donation to NJU of a calligraphy by Luo Jialun, President of National Central University (predecessor of NJU). President Lyu presented her with the collection certificate.
In his address, Xue Hailin emphasized the significant regard that NJU has placed on the preservation, research, and collection of cultural relics, which has fostered a rich tradition within the institution. As a result, NJU possesses a substantial collection of unique cultural heritage, including manuscripts, fossils, rubbings, ancient books, and more. Xue pointed out that the current exhibition, held in conjunction with NJU's 120th anniversary, boasts an unprecedented and unparalleled number of exhibits, as well as the involvement of esteemed masters and scholars. This event not only pays tribute to those who have dedicated themselves to cultural preservation in the past but also serves as an inspiration for the present generation to follow in their footsteps.
Shi Mei, Deputy Director of NJU Museums and the Libraries and curator of the exhibition, explained its origin and distribution of units.
After the opening ceremony, the participants saw the exhibition.
The exhibition, which will last till January 6, 2023, brings together from the University Museum, Library and Archives more than 300 volumes of works by more than 250 modern celebrities and masters. On display are over 30 paintings, the rest being handwriting works including letters, manuscripts, diaries, poems, and inscriptions.
The list of notable figures included in the exhibition is extensive, featuring not only those who played pivotal roles in the development of modern Chinese history, such as Lin Zexu, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, but also representatives of the influential May Fourth New Culture Movement of 1919, including Cai Yuanpei, Chen Duxiu and Hu Shi. Additionally, the esteemed individuals include masters who have inherited and perpetuated traditional Chinese culture, such as Shen Zengzhi, Zhang Taiyan and Qian Mu. Their collective contributions have left an indelible mark on Chinese history, spanning different eras and encompassing diverse domains, thereby shaping the cultural landscape of China.
Lin Zexu Imitation of Various Masters
97×31cm NJU Museum
Zeng Guofan Couplet in Regular Script
127×31cm×2 NJU Museum
Cai Yuanpei Excerpt from Zhuangzi in Semi-cursive Script
133×41cm NJU Library
Li Ruiqing Couplet in Regular Script
145×38cm×2 NJU Library
The exhibition features the works of famous scholars and artists who studied or taught at NJU, such as Li Ruiqing, Hu Xiaoshi, Luo Jialun, Gu Yuxiu, Xu Beihong, Wu Jianxiong, etc. It is especially worth mentioning that many of these famous NJU masters, who returned to China after studying abroad, have devoted themselves to the cause of science and education, and made outstanding contributions. They are advocates of China's modern education, disseminators of modern scientific thoughts, promoters of Chinese fine culture, and pioneers and inheritors of NJU spirit. Their calligraphy and painting works are unique records of China's modern history, reflecting the intellectuals' courage and responsibility in an era of great social changes, and showing their concerns for social progress, cultural and artistic inheritance, and scientific innovation. Through these works, the audience can travel through time to get close to them.
Translator: Carina
Editors: Chen Xing, He Yao
