A glimpse into China's vibrant history. On view 61 works by Xu Beihong including Chinese ink brush and oil paintings, drawings, pastels, and calligraphy. Visitors can explore his career from early works of 1918 created during his studies in Europe. 'Threads of Heaven: Silken Legacy of China's Last Dynasty' explore the country during two time periods -the latter years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), and the subsequent formation of the Republic of China during the early to middle 20th century.
This fall, visitors to the Denver Art Museum (DAM) will get a rare
look inside China’s artistic history through two special exhibitions. Xu Beihong: Pioneer of Modern
Chinese Painting and Threads of Heaven: Silken Legacy of China’s Last Dynasty explore this
mysterious and ceremonial country during two time periods—the latter years of the Qing Dynasty
(1644–1912), and the subsequent formation of the Republic of China during the early to middle 20th
century.
Xu Beihong offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the full
spectrum of work by the 20th century Chinese artist who is widely
recognized as the father of modern Chinese painting. One of the first
Chinese artists to study in Europe, Xu revolutionized painting in China
by drawing influence from both the East and West. This exhibition will
feature 61 works from the Xu Beihong Memorial Museum, the majority
of which have never before been on view in the United States.
Threads of Heaven illustrates the court and culture of the Qing Dynasty
and the final days of empire in China through more than 100 dazzling
pieces ranging from court robes to intricately embroidered accessories
to pictorial hangings. The Denver Art Museum is the only venue for both
exhibitions, on view October 30, 2011 through January 29, 2012.
"We want DAM visitors to get a special look into one of the world’s most
intriguing cultures," said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer
Director. "Both exhibitions reveal a slice of time in China’s history from
the tumultuous final decades of the Qing Dynasty, to the birth of modern
painting in China through Xu Beihong’s artistic career."
Xu Beihong: Pioneer of Modern Chinese Painting
"Xu Beihong was a revolutionary painter in his day," said Ronald
Otsuka, Joseph de Heer Curator of Asian art. "Xu’s work reveals a lot (detail), 1942. The Xu Beihong
about what was going on in China during his lifetime and reflects the Memorial Museum.
artist’s desire to merge European and Chinese painting traditions."
Xu Beihong: Pioneer of Modern Chinese Painting, organized by the Denver Art Museum, will be the
first comprehensive exhibition in the United States to focus on his full range of artwork. Xu not only
influenced art within his own country, he helped introduce this new style of art to the world. One of the
first Chinese artists to study in Europe, Xu advocated for the integration of Western techniques into
traditional styles in order to improve Chinese painting. Through his efforts as a prominent artist,
educator and reformer, he is credited with revolutionizing the nation’s arts institutions and reshaping
international perceptions of Chinese painting. His work was exhibited widely throughout Asia and
Europe and his influence is still felt today by many contemporary Chinese artists.
DAM’s landmark exhibition will
include 61 works from China’s Xu
Beihong Memorial Museum, including
ink brush paintings, oil paintings,
drawings, pastels and calligraphy.
The works, most of which have never
before been on view in the United
States, trace the full arc of Xu’s
career—from early landscape
paintings and drawings created
during his time in Europe—to portraits
of political leaders including Mao
Zedong and Mohandas Gandhi to his
iconic horse paintings.
A full catalogue, edited by Otsuka and co-authored by Fangfang Xu, Chen Hao, Kevin McLoughlin, Xu
Ji and Xu Qingping chronicles Xu’s stylistic development and will be available in the Museum Shop.
Xu Beihong was born into a poor family on July 19, 1895, in Yixing, Jiangsu Province. He studied
Chinese classics, calligraphy, seal engraving and traditional Chinese painting from his father, a self-
taught artist and portrait painter.
----
Threads of Heaven: Silken Legacy of China’s Last Dynasty
"The codified grandeur of court dress as well as the
complex imagery on informal dress conveys the cultural
richness of the latter years of the Qing Dynasty," said
Alice Zrebiec, textile art curator. "I think visitors will be
awed by the opulent display of power as well as
mesmerized by the extraordinary craftsmanship and
intricacy evident in even the smallest details."
Drawn exclusively from the DAM’s collection of Chinese
textiles and costumes, the exhibition presents a glimpse
into the latter years of the court and culture of the Qing
Dynasty and the final days of empire in China. Among
the approximately 100 pieces on view are court robes
and accessories, many of which denote the wearer’s
specific rank. In addition to objects from the museum’s
Charlotte Hill Grant collection, acquired by the donor in
China during the early 20th century, there are numerous
pieces either never before exhibited or not seen for
many years. Among these latter objects are an imperial
cover lavishly embroidered with golden dragons and
phoenixes, a silk hanging with vivid images of the activities of
court life and two dramatic opera hangings with embroidered
representations of cast members. Black and white archival
images illustrating moments at court as well as in the theater
put the objects on view into cultural context.
Programming
A broad range of China-related programs will accompany the
exhibitions throughout the fall and winter, including special
member moments, family activities, a symposium, adult
lectures on Chinese art and culture and a Chinese-themed
Untitled final Friday event.
Xu Beihong: Pioneer of Modern Chinese Painting is organized by the
Denver Art Museum in collaboration with the Xu Beihong Memorial
Museum. Significant support is provided by the Anna and John J. Sie
Foundation. Additional support is provided by the William Sharpless
Jackson Jr. Endowment Fund, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter
Foundation, the Joy R. Hilliard Bequest, the citizens who support the
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, and the generous donors to the
Annual Fund Leadership Campaign. Promotional support is provided by
5280 Magazine, CBS4, and The Denver Post.
Threads of Heaven: Silken Legacy of China’s Last Dynasty is organized by
the Denver Art Museum. Significant support is provided by the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, the Schramm Foundation, the
Catherine Hawkins Foundation and the Joy R. Hilliard Bequest. Additional support is provided by the citizens who support the
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and the generous donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign. Promotional
support is provided by 5280 Magazine, CBS4 and The Denver Post.
Image: Xu Beihong, Six Galloping Horses, 1942. The Xu Beihong Memorial Museum.
Media Contacts:
Ashley Pritchard, 720-913-0096
Tara Moberly 720-913-0079
pressoffice@denverartmuseum.org
Denver Art Museum
100 W 14th Ave Parkway 720 Denver USA
Open Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Adult $13
Senior (65+) $10
College Student $8
Youth (6–18) $5
Child (0–5) Free
General admission is free on the first Saturday of each month.