Exhibition Introduction
Situated in the south of the Nanling Mountains and along the shores of the South China Sea, Guangdong stands as a vibrant cradle of Lingnan culture. Due to its historically remote location, the records of Guangdong's artists rarely appeared in literature or paintings prior to the Qing dynasty. Yet, as the regional economy blossomed during the Kangxi and Qianlong eras, Guangdong painting ushered in a prosperous era, marked by a surge of gifted artists and a distinctive style that intertwined tradition with creative innovation.
Traditional ‘Guangdong painting’ generally refers to works by artists who were born in Guangdong or resided in the region for a long time before the emergence of the Lingnan School of Painting. However, some scholars categorise the Lingnan School within the broader developmental stages of Guangdong painting.
The collection of Guangdong paintings of the Qing dynasty is one of the most significant holdings in the Macao Museum of Art. This exhibition, organised in partnership with the Guangdong Museum (Guangzhou Lu Xun Museum), the Guangzhou Museum of Art, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, brings together 136 remarkable works by 54 artists. The selection strives to comprehensively showcase the rich diversity of Guangdong painting during the Qing dynasty.
The exhibition unfolds in three captivating sections: landscape, bird-and-flower, and figure painting, chronologically tracing the evolution of early, mid-, and late Qing artistry. Visitors will encounter the works of masters such as Gao Yan, Li Guoji, Zhang Mu, Monk Dashan, and Yang Changwen from the early period; Li Jian, Xie Lansheng, Zhang Jinfang, Wu Rongguang, Luo Tianchi, Su Liupeng, and Su Renshan from the mid-period; and He Chong, Wu Xuezao, Ju Chao, Ju Lian, and Liang Yuwei from the late period. The exhibition shines a spotlight on the distinctive brushwork, the exploration of themes, and the creative blending of Chinese and Western influences that define Guangdong artists.
Macao's rich history and culture share the same roots as the Lingnan region. This exhibition invites visitors to discover the broad tapestry of Guangdong painting from the Qing dynasty while delving into the enduring bonds between Macao and Lingnan culture. It also seeks to spark new conversations and partnerships in traditional arts throughout the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.