Figure paintings reveal past family life and social beliefs
2021-01-19
Blessing, a painting from the collection of Changsha Grand View Culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties saw rising demands in an increasing middle-class community for figure paintings to depict family life and convey cultural values and moral beliefs.
Figure paintings at the time were roughly categorized into three themes: paying tribute to ancestors, hailing harmony among family members and in social activities, and preserving core values embodied in social customs.
Family Harmony, an exhibition on now at the Long Museum in Shanghai, examines the roles of Ming and Qing figure paintings in carrying on values and cultural traditions for future generations.
Paintings shown at the exhibition, until March 7, are from the collections of Hunan Provincial Museum in Changsha and Changsha Grand View Culture gallery.
Guan Yu, a portrait from the collection of Changsha Grand View Culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Portrait of a Ming Dynasty court official, from the collection of Changsha Grand View Culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Portrait of He Shaoji, a painting from the collection of Hunan Provincial Museum. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Spring Banquet, a Qing Dynasty painting in the collection of Changsha Grand View Culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Taoist Immortals, a Qing Dynasty painting from the collection of Changsha Grand View Culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Wedding, a Qing Dynasty painting in the collection of Changsha Grand View Culture. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Family Harmony, an exhibition now on at the Long Museum in Shanghai, examines the roles of Ming and Qing figure paintings in carrying on values and cultural traditions. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Family Harmony, an exhibition now on at the Long Museum in Shanghai, examines the roles of Ming and Qing figure paintings in carrying on values and cultural traditions. [Photo provided to China Daily]
