20th Century Shanghai Art Chronology: 1900-2000

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." Historians often measure their capital by the amount of materials they possess. However, some people are merely "copying historical materials." While these materials are well-known to everyone, they simply 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—merely compiling what others have already discovered. If one lacks understanding, they might even copy or compile incorrectly. True historians of materials must seek the lost threads of the vast and unknown, uncovering materials that are unknown to the present or revealing those that have long been forgotten. Only then can they advance the development of historical research. Mr. Wang Zhen spent over seven years compiling this "Twentieth Century Shanghai Art Chronology," reading old newspapers, researching over 300 types of journals and art publications, reviewing microfilm, visiting the library daily from early morning to late evening. At the Shanghai Library alone, he sat for five years, and at home in the evenings, he would review self-collected clippings and other historical materials, making index cards.