The art of calligraphy and painting is the most representative cultural element of the Chinese nation and one of the most important carriers of China’s outstanding traditional culture. The National Museum of China houses nearly 10,000 ancient calligraphy and painting masterpieces, ranging from paper calligraphy remnants of the Wei and Jin dynasties, Buddhist scriptures of the Sui and Tang dynasties, works of famous calligraphers of the Song and Yuan dynasties and different schools of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The collections are among the largest and most impressive anywhere in China, and they boast clear historical roots and diverse artifacts. They fully demonstrate the sages’ individual pursuits and feelings for their homeland and bring together the traditional thoughts, ethics, aesthetic pursuits and ideologies that have been with the Chinese people for thousands of years.

Several masterpieces of calligraphy and painting from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties were selected from the collection of the NMC to hold the “Ancient Chinese Calligraphy and Painting” special exhibition. It is a concrete initiative aimed at solidifying the position of Chinese culture, inheriting the genes of Chinese culture and demonstrating the Chinese aesthetic style. The exhibition is organized primarily along a chronological sequence, with 52 precious masterpieces divided into three units to systematically demonstrate the development of Chinese calligraphy and painting since the Song and Yuan dynasties. A batch of unique and exquisitely crafted ancient writing instruments are also exhibited.

In order to systematically outline the main path and unique features of the development of ancient Chinese calligraphy and painting, while at the same time offering a magnificent visual feast, we will attempt to exhibit more cultural relics stored in the NMC warehouse through regularly rotating exhibits and changing the design and display of exhibitions.