Curator’s Note
Exhibitions concentrating on Qing-dynasty Guangdong paintings are rare, even in regions where these works are prevalent, such as Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Through a unique opportunity, I was privileged to examine and sort through the ancient paintings and calligraphy held at the Macao Museum of Art, where Qing-dynasty Guangdong paintings stand out for both their quantity and quality. These works reflect the overarching trends and lineage in the evolution of Guangdong painting from the mid- to late Qing dynasty. However, for various reasons, the Macao collection has seldom been featured in past art history research and exhibitions related to Guangdong art. Paintings by artists including Li Jian, Xie Lansheng, Monk Dekun, Su Liupeng, Su Renshan, Jiang Lian, Wang Pu, Zhao Ziyong, Li Kui, Ju Chao, Ju Lian, He Chong, Luo Anxian, Liang Yuwei, Wu Deyi, and Cui Qin brilliantly illustrate the fusion of tradition and innovation that defines the Qing-dynasty Guangdong art scene. The collective display and publication of these works provide the most direct visual evidence of the diverse, inclusive, and interconnected cultural history of the Greater Bay Area, offering invaluable resources for re-examining the emergence and transformation of Guangdong painting.
Note that this exhibition does not aim to provide a comprehensive survey of the entire history of Guangdong painting. As the selection of exhibits demonstrates, around 80% of the works on display are drawn from the Macao Museum of Art, making its permanent collection the primary focus. Crucially, the exhibition is organised in partnership with major institutions that hold extensive collections of Guangdong paintings, including the Guangdong Museum (Guangzhou Lu Xun Museum), the Guangzhou Museum of Art, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It offers a focused presentation of the Macao Museum of Art's ancient paintings, delivering a museum-centred, in-depth interpretation of Qing-dynasty Guangdong painting.
Loaned pieces by artists such as Gao Yan, Wu Ruilong, Zhang Mu, Monk Dashan, Monk Shendu, Yang Changwen, Li Guoji, Wang Houlai, Huang Bi, and Chen Qiong – most of whom were active during the early Qing period – effectively fill the gaps within the Macao Museum of Art's collection. This close collaboration among the museums in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao enables a more comprehensive narrative of Qing-dynasty Guangdong painting. The selected artists and works largely trace the main developmental trajectory of painting in the Lingnan region during this era. These paintings – rooted in tradition while displaying distinctive Lingnan characteristics and forming an important part of Chinese painting history – celebrate traditional local culture and encourage deeper exploration of regional heritage. Consequently, this exhibition serves as a model for promoting cultural exchange, mutual learning, and collaborative progress.
Zhu Wanzhang
Chief Curator
29 March 2026