Ancient Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Catalogue IV

Author: Ancient Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Appraisal Group
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1990-07-01
Features: Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Party and the government have always attached great importance to the cause of cultural relics. During the lifetime of the beloved Premier Zhou Enlai, he showed particular concern. From the 1950s to the early 1960s, national cultural relic authorities vigorously purchased cultural relics and enacted laws to prevent their outflow. Many collectors, driven by patriotic enthusiasm, donated their collections to the state, leading to a continuous increase in the holdings of calligraphy and painting in museums. As a result, appraisal work became urgently needed. At that time, an appraisal team was formed to work across the country, but soon the Ten-Year Turmoil occurred, followed by the unfortunate passing of Premier Zhou. This work then came to a halt. Since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Party, efforts have been made across various aspects to rectify the chaos and fulfill Premier Zhou's. The "Catalog of Fine Ancient Chinese Books" has already been drafted. Recently, the appraisal of calligraphy and painting has again received the support of Comrade Gu Mu and Comrade Deng Liqun. In June 1983, with the approval of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Culture established the Ancient Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Appraisal Group. This group has conducted a comprehensive and systematic investigation, appraisal, and cataloging of existing ancient calligraphy and painting across the country, including the compilation of catalogs, illustrated lists, and large-scale albums. The purpose and role of this appraisal have four aspects: First, to investigate the condition of calligraphy and painting held by cultural relic departments and cultural and educational organizations across the country; second, to assist these units in appraising their collections, distinguishing between the fine and the inferior, the genuine and the fake; third, to provide appraisal and evaluation for some private collections; and fourth, to fundamentally determine the authenticity and quality of the calligraphy and painting, thereby facilitating better protection of cultural relics, providing rich material for art history researchers, and establishing a professional team for calligraphy and painting appraisal.