20th Century Shanghai Art Chronology

Author: Wang Zhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The book is rich in historical materials and accurate, which has given me great inspiration. Historians regard historical materials as life. Some even say: history is the study of historical materials, and historians often measure their capital by the amount of materials they possess. However, some people are actually just "copying historical materials." Since historical materials are known to everyone, they may copy them again, compile them into a collection, or categorize them for collection. Of course, this provides some convenience for readers, but there are no new historical materials—only a compilation of materials that others have already discovered. If one lacks understanding, they may even copy or compile incorrectly. True historians of materials need to trace the lost threads of history, uncovering materials unknown to contemporary people or revealing long-forgotten materials, which can then drive the development of historical research. Mr. Wang Zhen spent over seven years compiling this "Chronology of Shanghai Art in the 20th Century," reading old newspapers, researching over 300 types of journals and art publications, reviewing microfilm, visiting the library daily, going out early and returning late. At the Shanghai Library alone, he spent five years sitting there, and at night, he would review self-collected clippings and other historical materials at home, making index cards.