Introduction

The Grace of Chu: the Exhibition of Painting and Calligraphy Works of Hunan Scholars in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Hunan is renowned not only for its graceful and beautiful landscapes but also for its long - standing history and a rich gathering of talents and culture. Scholars of Hunan cherish the ideals of governing the country and bringing peace to the world, dare to be the first, and take it as their responsibility to manage the state, benefit the people, and apply knowledge to practical affairs.

Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, Hunan culture has developed unprecedentedly. “In Hunan, numerous talents who made unparalleled achievements spring up in succession.” Yuelu Academy cultivated Wang Fuzhi, Wei Yuan and other great thinkers, and its couplet “The kingdom of Chu, the unique home of talents, the Academy of Yuelu, the very cradle of all”, is well-known all over the world. As an old saying goes, “Nine out of ten of the meritorious ministers of the Tongguang Resurgence were Hunanese.”

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, there were countless scholars, literati, generals with literary grace in Hunan, such as Li Dongyang, Wang Fuzhi, Luo Dian, He Xiling, Tao Shu, He Shaoji, Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Wang Kaiyun and other scholars who not only left their names in the history books and pushed forward the development of the society, but also were diligent in the study of calligraphy and traditional paintings, leaving behind tens of thousands of works.

At the same time, many scholars from other provinces, who worked in Hunan as officials, such as Qian Feng, Wu Dazhi, Shen Han, etc.,drew nourishment from this fertile soil, entertained each other with paintings and calligraphy works, which worked as a bridge between local scholars.

The exhibition selects more than one hundred pieces of works of Hunan scholars since the Ming and Qing dynasties, which are divided into the following four parts: “Erudition of Scholars”, “Elegance of Literati”, “Minds and Ambitions of Literary Generals”, “Legacies of Non-native Ministers in Hunan”. It not only displays their artistic style, but also their morale under the nourishment of Hunan culture, helping people understand the core of Hunan spirit, which is “Be practical” and “Be realistic”.