The
written Chinese language is not only used for the recording and
transmission of information, but is also for aesthetic purposes
and individual self-cultivation. Very few examples of ancient calligraphy
are still extant. Except for the Shang Dynasty oracle inscriptions
known as chia-ku wen incised on tortoise shells or the scapulae
of oxen, and bronze metal vessels or carved on store stelae.
The earliest example
of a work by the hand of a well-known calligrapher is the P'ing-fu
t'ieh, "On Recovering From Illness" by Lu Chi (AD261-303).
After the Eastern Chin Dynasty (AD317-420), the number of extant
examples of original calligraphy increases.
The great calligraphy of the Eastern Chin, Wang
Hsi-chih, is regarded as the patriarch of calligraphy.
Wang was most proficient in standard and semi cursive scripts.
Many of the renown calligraphers, like Qu-yang Hsun, Yu Shih-nan,
Chu Sui-liang, Yen Chen-ching, Liu Kuang-chuan etc.
The finest achievement of Ming Dynasty calligraphy
was the "Grass" cursive script. Calligraphy in Qin Dynasty
my be divided into two periods, one from early Qian to Chia-Chin
(AD1796-1820) and Tao-kuang (AD1821-1850)
reigns.
Chinese
Paintings
Chinese
paintings in our museum , including art from four major dynasties:
the Sung Dynasty (AD960-1279), Yuan Dynasty (AD1279-1368), Ming
Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qian Dynasty (1644-1911).
