Cultural Affairs Bureau
Guangdong painting has experienced a unique developmental trajectory, revealing a distinctive ‘leap’ in the history of Chinese painting. Although it developed relatively late, this artistic style rose to prominence with astonishing momentum in the mid-to-late Qing dynasty. Rather than simply introducing or imitating the styles of the Central Plains and Jiangnan regions, Guangdong artists began to engage in a profound contemplation of their local landscapes. They gradually established a realistic style that aimed to ‘engage with the world without compromising one's artistic principles’ – a style that distanced itself from the Wumen and Xin’an Schools that had been influential in the early period and focused primarily on emulating the ancients. Thus, the spirit of the Lingnan School was born, giving rise to works that ‘integrate Chinese and foreign influences, blending the ancient and the modern.’ This trajectory from the periphery to the centre, and from tradition to innovation, granted Guangdong painting an unparalleled historical significance in the Qing dynasty art world, which served as an important prelude to the modernisation of Chinese painting.
Lucidity in a Prosperous Era: Guangdong Paintings of the Qing Dynasty primarily features pieces from the collection of the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) – a highly systematic holding rich in reference materials for in-depth research, containing the largest concentration of art dating from the mid-Qing dynasty. In particular, MAM's holdings of works by Su Liupeng and He Chong are remarkable in both quantity and quality. The collection encompasses multiple representative early Guangdong paintings, such as works by Ming dynasty painter Lin Liang, which demonstrate a clear transition from the meticulous style (gongbi ) with dense colours to the freehand style (xieyi ) with its bold ink-and-wash strokes. Furthermore, ‘Magu Presenting Longevity Peaches’, by early Qing dynasty painter Zheng Run, stands as the artist's only surviving work. In past research on Guangdong art history, these long-unseen works have often been considered ‘hidden gems’. This showcase not only fills a gap in the region's art history, but also offers a comprehensive body of visual evidence for a more direct re-examination of the Greater Bay Area’s history and culture.
This exhibition is a collaboration between the Macao Museum of Art, the Guangdong Museum (Guangzhou Lu Xun Museum), the Guangzhou Museum of Art, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, showcasing a collection of Qing dynasty Guangdong paintings in all their diversity. This model of ‘inter-museum collaboration and resource sharing’ builds upon the partnership established in 2024 with the exhibition Focus: Integration of Art between China and the West in the 18th-19th Centuries. It further deepens the cooperative ties among the three regions through shared collections, joint research, and co-curatorship, while adding a vibrant chapter to the development of a humanistic Greater Bay Area.
Though silent, ink leaves an indelible mark through the ages. Lucidity in a Prosperous Era is both a systematic retrospective of Qing dynasty Guangdong painting and a dialogue with a vibrant period in Lingnan history. Visitors are cordially invited to wander through this exhibition at their leisure, admiring the artistic talent and vigorous style of the Lingnan masters in their rich works, while appreciating their determination to ‘engage with the world without compromising one’s artistic principles’. May these works, weathered by a century of time, continue to inspire and touch our hearts, ensuring that our cultural legacy endures.
I wish the exhibition every success!
Deland, Leong Wai Man
President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government