The Infinite Universe—Zhang Daqian’s Copying Works of Dunhuang Frescoes Exhibition

Shanxi Museum 
Bin He West Road 13, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, 
Period: Sept. 26th, 2012——Dec. 9th, 2012 
Place: The Exhibition Hall of Painting and Calligraphy Works on the 4th floor

Through the joint effort of Shanxi Museum and Sichuan Museum, “The Infinite Universe—Zhang Daqian’s Copying Works of Dunhuang Frescoes Exhibition” began its display at Shanxi Museum on September 26th.
In the exhibition, forty-six Zhang Daqian’s copying works of Dunhuang frescoes from Sichuan Museum were displayed at the Exhibition Hall of Painting and Calligraphy Works on the 4th floor of the main building of Shanxi Museum.
Zhang Daqian is a legendary master of traditional Chinese painting in the Chinese art circle of the 20th century. Throughout his life he has absorbed nutrition from the masterpieces of past masters. In his old age he created the technique of splashing ink and splashing color, hence forming his own unique painting style. His influence can be felt both at home and abroad.
Zhang Daqian’s journey to Dunhuang from 1941 to 1943 was a turning point of his art career. In the spring of 1941, with the pursuit of art and the devotion to religion, he led his disciples and family members to Dunhuang, a treasure house of art that had been looted several times before that. Braving the wind and dew of the untraversed Gobi sand area, he dedicated himself to the study of the Dunhuang frescoes for three years.
During this period he numbered 309 grottoes and copied 276 frescoes. In 1943 he held an exhibition of his painting works, which pushed the great art of Dunhuang frescoes to the world. Copying Dunhuang frescoes laid a foundation for his later outstanding achievement in art, while at the same time, many people knew about Dunhuang through his works, which gave an impetus to the research on Dunhuang. Zhang Daqian’s copying notion of Dunhuang frescoes is foresighted.
On the basis of being loyal to the material, the painting technique, the body and the spirit of the original works, he put forward the idea that the original image and color of frescoes should be recovered in the process of copying so as to endow the ancient frescoes with new spirit and life.
He accurately and scientifically recovered the clear authentic images and the original bright color of the frescoes in Mogao Grottoes.
Therefore, the image in Zhang Daqian’s copying works of Dunhuang frescoes (whether it is a Bodhisattva, a Buddha, a flying Apsaras, or a yaksha, a provider) always has the bright color and a full sense of life.
The exhibition period is from September 26th to December 9th.
During the period audiences could get free tickets at the entrance of Shanxi Museum.

SOURCE:SHANXI MUSEUM