An exhibition titled “Duet of Nature: Ming and Qing Landscape Paintings from the National Museum of China” opened on Friday at the Macau Museum of Art (MAM) in Nape, showcasing classical Chinese landscape art and its philosophical depth.
Co-organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and the National Museum of China (NMC) in Beijing, with MAM as the executive organiser, the exhibition features 65 pieces/sets of landscape paintings dating from the 15th to 19th centuries.
Works by renowned artists such as Shen Zhou, Dong Qichang and Gong Xian are displayed. The exhibition is divided into two sections, “Exploring Magnificent Landscapes” and “Expressing Sentiments through Nature”, presenting the evolution of landscape painting during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties, highlighting how artists combined realism and freehand expression, translating their experiences of nature into visual and emotional narratives.
Addressing the opening ceremony, IC President Deland Leong Wai Man said that “we are gathered here today [Friday] at the Macau Museum of Art to witness the grand opening of the exhibition ‘Duet of Nature: Ming and Qing Landscape Paintings from the National Museum of China’, and to embark on a visual and spiritual journey through Chinese aesthetics”.
Leong added that landscape painting during the Ming and Qing dynasties represented a pinnacle of traditional Chinese art, reflecting the philosophical concept of harmony between humanity and nature, while also influencing modern aesthetic development.
The exhibition incorporates digital elements, including a virtual reality (VR) experience of “Eight Views of Peking” and digital displays of works such as “Emperor Qianlong’s Southern Tour”, creating an interactive dialogue between traditional art and modern technology. A series of outreach activities will be held alongside the exhibition, including lectures, concerts, workshops, and guided tours.
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the bureau, a thematic lecture on “Emperor Qianlong’s Southern Tour” was held on Saturday, with additional public programmes continuing throughout the exhibition period.
With free admission, the exhibition runs through July 26, aiming to promote appreciation of traditional Chinese culture in Macau, while striving to reinforce the city’s role as a platform for cultural exchange and artistic development.
Exhibitiongoers keen to admire the works can visit the museum from Tuesday to Sunday, including public holidays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the last entry at 6:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. More information can be found on
https://www.mam.gov.mo/.
Photos: Khalel Vallo
