Hong Kong Museum of Art has received a generous donation of a collection of 355 Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks from Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd. Comprising rare treasures from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the collection has a total value of about HK$3.8 billion (US$480m).
Ho Sai-chu, the Chairman of Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd and Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam
Ho Sai-chu donates a collection of 355 Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks
Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd was founded by the late philanthropist and collector Ho Iu-kwong (1907-2006) in 1985. Ho Sai-chu, the son of Ho Iu-kwong and the Chairman of Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion (Non-profit Making) Ltd, has donated the private collection of 355 Chinese painting and calligraphy artworks to the museum in recognition of the museum's efforts to conserve art treasures and promote historic arts.
Peach Blossom Cottage by Tang Yin, member of the Four Ming Masters
A work by Zhu Quan, who is also known as Bada Shanren
Zhang Daqian's Landscape painting
The donated works span from the Song dynasty to the 20th century, with late Ming and early Qing paintings and calligraphy being the most numerous, and chronicle the aesthetics of different times and regions. Outstanding pieces include works by members of the Four Ming Masters, Lan Ying during the late Ming dynasty, Dong Qichang who led the Songjiang School of painting, as well as members of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou during the mid-Qing dynasty.
Huang Daozhou's Pine and Stone
One of Twelve Screens of Landscape by Lan Ying
Ho Iu-kwong held high regard and admiration for the Ming loyalists in the Qing dynasty as their works depict their lofty aspirations and noble integrity. The patriotic and principled Ming loyalists coped with their desolation by immersing themselves in travel, painting and writing. Their virtue and nobility still shine from the artworks they left behind.
Hong Kong Museum of Art reopens to public at the end of 2019
The museum is currently closed for renovation and reopens at the end of 2019. A dedicated gallery named the "Chih Lo Lou Gallery of Chinese Painting and Calligraphy" will be established for permanent display of the collection.