Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The "A Century of Serenity on the Lake: An Exhibition of Art Documents from the Beijing-Tianjin Painting Circle," hosted by the National Art Museum of China, is currently on display. Recently, a donation ceremony for works by renowned 20th-century Beijing-Tianjin painters was held in Beijing. Xu Xianfeng, owner of Shuangxinzhai Studio, donated 31 works by renowned artists such as Pu Xinyu and Qi Gong from his collection to the nation, injecting new vitality into the artistic heritage of the Beijing-Tianjin painting circle.
This exhibition systematically traces the creative trajectory and academic activities of important art groups in the Beijing-Tianjin region, such as the Chinese Painting Research Association and the Lake Society Painting Association. It presents nearly 200 exquisite artworks by over 100 artists active in the Beijing-Tianjin painting circle during the first half of the 20th century, vividly interpreting the artistic principles of renowned Beijing-Tianjin artists—"meticulously studying ancient methods and absorbing new knowledge"—and comprehensively showcasing the artistic style and academic foundation of the Beijing-Tianjin painting circle a century ago.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the wave of Western learning spreading eastward swept across China. The art circles of Beijing and Tianjin, as important centers of Chinese art development, formed a tripartite balance with those of Shanghai and Guangzhou, playing an irreplaceable role in upholding and inheriting the traditions of Chinese culture and art. The exhibition, using artworks as its core thread, clearly outlines the development trajectory of the Beijing-Tianjin art circles, which, while rooted in traditional foundations, integrated Western knowledge, showcasing from multiple dimensions the diverse and vibrant artistic ecosystem constructed by traditional Chinese painters amidst the dramatic changes of the times.
Pan Yikui, Director of the National Art Museum of China, stated at the event that, looking back at the wave of Western learning spreading eastward in the 20th century, countless pioneering artists sought innovation and change from the West, exploring new paths for the development of Chinese painting. Meanwhile, the predecessors of the Beijing-Tianjin art circles firmly preserved the roots of literati painting amidst this trend. What is particularly valuable is that many of the core figures in this art world have traveled to Europe and America and studied in Japan, experiencing firsthand the profoundness of Western classical oil painting and the avant-garde of modern art. Having deeply understood the collision and fusion of Eastern and Western art, they returned to tradition with a clearer understanding, infusing the essence of literati painting into every brushstroke and every wash, vividly interpreting the meaning of cultural self-awareness through ink and brush. "Having seen the vastness of the world, they still recognize the preciousness of their own culture. The artists of the Beijing-Tianjin art world have used ink and brush to express the unique Chinese people's understanding of nature and their inner selves," Pan Yikui emphasized. He added that in today's world, where cultural confidence is deeply rooted, the artistic choices of the Beijing-Tianjin art world a century ago still have important inspirational significance for our current efforts to strengthen cultural confidence and promote mutual learning among civilizations.
It is reported that the successful holding of this exhibition would not have been possible without the strong support of Xu Xianfeng. He not only carefully selected his own treasured scrolls and folding fans for the exhibition to enjoy, but also donated 31 works by renowned artists such as Pu Xinyu and Qi Gong, along with a large amount of related documents, to the nation free of charge. This donation effectively fills a gap in the National Art Museum of China's collection of art related to the Beijing and Tianjin art scene, providing invaluable first-hand materials for scholars to conduct in-depth research on the artistic trajectory and academic thought of the 20th-century Beijing and Tianjin art scene.
It is reported that the "A Century of Gentle Breeze on the Lake: An Exhibition of Art Documents from the Beijing and Tianjin Art Scene" will run until January 31st. The public is welcome to visit the National Art Museum of China to appreciate the artistic charm and cultural heritage of the Beijing and Tianjin art scene over the past century. (End)
