Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong Museum of Art｜Chih Lo Lou Collection：Mini-figures in Paintings

Description

In traditional Chinese landscape painting, attention is often drawn to the majestic landscape itself. Yet, it is in the scantily described miniature figures that the soul of a landscape painting resides. Playing neither a dominating nor a supplementing role, they encapsulate the painter’s intent and serves as his magic wand that turns the painting into an idealised place for travelling, gazing, roaming and dwelling. Engaging in disparate activities, these figures venture deep into nature, communing with it and giving life and meaning to the painting. Far from random ornaments, they personify the painter besides embodying his musings and inclinations.  

Featuring a fine selection from the Chih Lo Lou Collection, the exhibition zooms in on figures in Chinese landscape paintings to reveal their identities, stories and cultural significance. Following the ink marks as leads, visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore how these tiny beings, reclusive, cynical or otherwise, are transformed into the protagonists of the landscape narratives. 

Image Description:

Photo 1

Wen Zhengming (1470 – 1559)

Solitary Figure in the Autumn Forest

Not dated (ca. 1510)

Hanging scroll, ink on paper

66.5 x 29.2 cm

Chih Lo Lou Collection

CL2018.0021

Photo 2

Zha Shibiao (1615 – 1697)

The Fisherman

1684

Hanging scroll, ink on paper

150.5 x 71 cm

Chih Lo Lou Collection

CL2018.0122

Photo 3

Lu Zhi (1496 – 1576)

Gathering Fungus

Not dated

Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper

46.7 x 58 cm

Chih Lo Lou Collection

CL2018.0028