In 2021, renowned Chaoshan collectors Mr. Yang Dehong and Mr. Yang Yu donated a total of 196 works (sets) of calligraphy and painting by Chaozhou artists from various periods to the Guangdong Museum. Spanning from the Ming dynasty to modern times, these works include creations by native Chaozhou artists as well as by officials and literati who lived or served in the region. Among the artists were imperial examination laureates, court officials, local gentry, cultured scholars, celebrated painters, and folk artists. The collection provides a comprehensive view of calligraphy and painting in the Chaozhou area since the Ming and Qing dynasties, while also serving as valuable historical testimony to the cultural development of the region. Some works are original “model drafts” for Chaozhou folk crafts and thus hold unique cultural significance. After expert assessment, one work was classified as a second-grade cultural relic, and twenty works (sets) as third-grade. This generous donation greatly enriches the museum’s holdings related to the Lingdong region and lays a solid foundation for future academic research. To honour the donors’ contributions, share the stories behind these cultural treasures, and promote traditional culture, the Guangdong Museum specially curated the exhibition Lingdong Elegance: The Yang Dehong and Yang Yu Donation Exhibition of Historical Calligraphy and Painting by Chaoshan Artists, held from February 16 to March 16, 2023, at the Yueyi Gallery on the 3M floor of Guangdong Museum.

A selection of 27 exquisite works (sets) from the donation is showcased, making this a rare, focused presentation of Chaoshan painting and calligraphy that allows visitors to gain a clear overview of the region’s artistic development. 

Exhibition Structure and Significance

The exhibition consists of three parts: Part One, "Free-flowing Brushwork: Chaoshan Calligraphy," displays Chaoshan calligraphy. Part Two, "Pluralistic Coexistence: Chaoshan Painting," displays Chaoshan painting. Both parts start from the characteristics of Chaoshan calligraphy and painting, focusing on the inheritance and innovation of Chaoshan art. Part Three, "Integration and Flourishing: A Brief History of Chaoshan Calligraphy and Painting," briefly chronicles and summarizes the development of Chaoshan art from the perspective of the shared origin and integration of calligraphy and painting.

Beyond the Pearl River Delta, the Chaozhou–Shantou (Chaoshan) area is Guangdong’s most vibrant centre of calligraphy and painting, producing artists of significant influence in both Guangdong and the nation at large. Together with Lingnan and other artistic schools, Chaoshan artists have shaped the province’s open, inclusive, and innovative artistic character.

Rooted in its distinctive cultural heritage and regional environment, Chaoshan has nurtured generations of artists. Since the Tang dynasty, when Han Yu governed the region, local culture increasingly aligned with the Central Plains, giving rise to a flourishing literary atmosphere. By the late Ming and Qing dynasties, with the rise of academies and thriving scholarship, talent emerged in great numbers. By the late Qing and Republican eras, Chaoshan painting and calligraphy had embraced diverse influences and stepped onto the world stage, ushering in an era of remarkable prosperity. Across a millennium, the region’s artistic legacy has been passed down through generations, richly layered and enduring. 

Highlights of the Exhibition

Thematic Presentation

In its development, Chaoshan calligraphy and painting have been able to absorb the essence of Central Plains culture, embrace the overseas civilization, and draw on the strengths of many masters, forming a unique regional character. This exhibition is the first to systematically chronicle and present the characteristics and development history of Chaoshan calligraphy and painting, which is of great significance for promoting regional cultural research and carrying forward outstanding Lingnan traditional culture.

Highlights of the Exhibition

Although the number of works in this exhibition is not large, the time span is wide, and there are many masterpieces, including 1 second-grade cultural relic and 18 items (sets) of third-grade. Among them, works by Ming dynasty figures such as Huang Jin and Wu Dianbang are extremely rare, such as the Cursive Script Calligraphy of Du Fu's Five-Character Poem by Huang Jin and the Cursive Script Calligraphy of Zhang Ji's Seven-Character Poem by Wu Dianbang. Works by modern figures like Zhan Antai are also rare treasures.

A Generous Donation

For more than 30 years, Mr. Yang Dehong and Mr. Yang Yu have tirelessly made the collection of historical Chaoshan calligraphy and painting their special focus. Their collection covers a wide range, includes an impressive lineup of famous artists, and features high-quality works, filling many gaps in the handwritten works of Chaoshan celebrities and adding luster to Lingnan culture, especially Chaoshan culture. The exhibition's focused presentation of 27 items (sets) from the donation pays tribute to the generous act of Mr. Yang Dehong and Mr. Yang Yu, while also inspiring support for the cause of museums from all sectors of society.

Highlights of the Exhibition

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