Bulletin Autumn 1975

Exhibition • Symposium Paintings & Calligraph The Art Gallery of the Institute of Chinese Studies was again in a position to contribute, by a three-fold effort, to a deeper understanding of the art of a critical period of Chinese cultural history. A one- month exhibition of paintings and calligraphy by Ming loyalists (I-min) from Chih-lo Lou Collection was mounted, synchronizing with a three-day international Symposium on Paintings and Calligraphy by Ming I-min, and a fully-illustrated bilingual Catalogue was published. The Chih-lo Lou Collection of paintings and calligraphy is one of the best local private collections and the 17th Century is strongly represented by the works of artists who remained loyal to the Ming cause after the fall of the dynasty in 1644. In his Introduction to the Catalogue, Prof. Jao Tsung-i points out that the works of Ming I-min is characterized by their "scholarly spirit" (士氣）. Among the great painters of the late Ming period there was hardly a "professional"; the y were scholars skilled in various arts, poetry and other literary studies and their versatility was in a way the basis of their skill as painters. Having "left the world behind them", they were able to act freely as the spirit moved them, and this freedom to follow their Kao Chien Rivers and mountains without end (part) Tien Tao- F en Landscape 2