"The brush does not stain the beauty of the city, but the ink carries a faint fragrance." On July 6th, the "Chinese Arts from the Literati Studio" exhibition officially opened at the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum and China National Arts and Crafts Museum. Over 600 ancient and contemporary study artifacts "traveled" through a thousand years, allowing the audience to "enter" the study rooms of ancient literati and appreciate the beauty of literati studio art. Among them, over 80% of the exhibited items are being showcased for the first time.
Study desks, carved rulers, refined red seal inks, small screens, imitation copper enamel pen holders... This exhibition focuses on literati studio art and covers various fields such as philosophy, aesthetics, home furnishings, music, incense appreciation, and wellness. It consists of two major sections: "History", showcasing the beauty of traditional literati studio art, and "Continuity", showcasing exquisite contemporary literati studio artifacts. Transcending the temporal boundaries of ancient and modern study rooms, it exhibits over 600 ancient and contemporary study artifacts from collections nationwide, as well as representative works from contemporary study product manufacturers and masters.
As you enter the exhibition hall, you will be greeted by the familiar "Four Treasures of the Study": brushes, inksticks, paper, and inkstones, along with the utensils used to accompany them, such as pen rests, inkstone beds, book knives, and inkstone screens. With over 600 exhibits from various dynasties and eras, this collection spans more than 2,000 years of history, from the Han Dynasty to the present day. The exhibition area is divided into two main sections: ancient literati studio artifacts and modern literati studio artifacts. Within the ancient section, there are three further divisions: "Flavor of the Literati Studio," "Interest of the Literati Studio," and "Ambience of the Literati Studio."
In the section showcasing ancient literati studio artifacts, observant visitors will notice that the display of literati and palace desks is arranged symmetrically on the left and right. Experts explain that study tools can reflect the user's status and style. The literati's display is fresh, elegant, simple yet complete, while the palace display often features pear wood carvings and pen rests carved from agate, displaying luxury.
In the center of the exhibition area, cultural scholars, collectors, and others come together to engage in an online live-streamed salon, where they discuss the beauty of Chinese literati studio art. The gathering takes place in one of the most meticulously restored "exhibits" of the exhibition—a Ming Dynasty literati studio. Collector Ma Weidu introduces, "Ancient people regarded symmetry as a form of beauty, so the arrangement in the study room is also symmetrical. We specifically chose a Ming Dynasty study room for its exquisite furnishings, simplicity, elegance, and stark contrast to our modern lives. When the audience lays eyes on it, they will be filled with reverence."
In the "Ambience of the Literati Studio" section, ancient zithers from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as rubbings of these instruments, are all on display. Experts say that it is rare to have the five generations of ancient zithers exhibited together. Among them, a precious Yuan Dynasty zither, collected by renowned Chinese zither player Guan Pinghu, bears the inscription "Yun Tao," which is the name of his daughter. The curator of the exhibition, Yu Shan, said that the purpose of this exhibition is to "carry the way with artifacts" and integrate the cultural phenomenon of study art into the perspectives, lifestyles, and worldviews of the Chinese people, disseminating the core ideas of Chinese study culture to the public. "This exhibition takes place during the summer vacation period, and we hope that it will sow the seed of traditional culture dissemination, allowing outstanding Chinese traditional culture to take root and sprout in the hearts of more young people." In the section showcasing modern study artifacts, visitors can also experience the beauty of literati studio art up close through interactions with Chinese trendy cultural and creative products, the Four Treasures of the Study, demonstrations of traditional brush-making techniques, and more.
It is reported that the exhibition includes two main sections: ancient literati studio artifacts and modern literati studio artifacts. The exhibition covers an area of approximately 960 square meters and systematically introduces the culture, aesthetics, and craftsmanship of Chinese art from the literati studio. In the section showcasing modern literati studio artifacts, visitors can also experience the beauty of literati studio art up close through interactions with Chinese trendy cultural and creative products, the Four Treasures of the Study, demonstrations of traditional brush-making techniques, and more. The exhibition will run until August 6th, and during this period, various academic and performance activities will be held.
Translator: TANG Yingqi
