Badai Shanren’s paintings are popular among collectors. Earlier in March, his “Flowers, birds, fish and fruit” presented in the series of Sotheby’s New York Spring Sales was sold for US$3,132,500 including the buyer’s premium. Why the works of Baidai Shanren are so attractive? We can now find out in the special exhibition “The Four Monks of Early Qing Dynasty: Chinese Calligraphy and Paintings” happening in Palace Museum, Beijing. It offers extraordinary artworks by the Badai Shanren, as well as Hong Ren, Ku Can and Shi Tao.

After the Manchus conquered China and established the Qing Empire, they commanded every commoner to follow the Manchu’s hairstyle shaving away the hair on the front head while wearing a pigtail at the back. However, some noblemen and intellectuals resisted by becoming monks. Badai Shanren, Hong Ren, Ku Can and Shi Tao were one of these patriots. Hence, their works often travel between the boundaries of the sacred and the profane, illustrating a sense of zen and also deep human emotions.

In total, the current exhibition showcases 85 calligraphy and paintings of the four monks, including “Mao Shi Huahui Tu” (Cat, Stone and Flowers) by Badai Shanren, “Gucha Duandi Tu” (Wooden Craft and Short Bamboo) by Hong Ren, “Chanji Huaqu Tu” (An Interesting Feel of Zen) by Ku Can, and “Sou Jin Qifeng Dacaogaotu” (The Draft of Peaks) by Shi Tao.

Exhibit Highlights

Badai Shanren, “Mao Shi Huahui Tu” (Cat, Stone and Flowers)

Hong Ren, “Gucha Duandi Tu” (Wooden Craft and Short Bamboo)

Ku Can, “Chanji Huaqu Tu” (An Interesting Feel of Zen)

Shi Tao, “Sou Jin Qifeng Dacaogaotu” (The Draft of Peaks)

Exhibition Details

Date: October 25, 2016 - February 26, 2017
Venue: The Palace Museum, Beijing
Museum Website

Opening Information of the Palace Museum

Opening Hours (peak): 8:30 - 17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Address: 4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, China
Phone: +86 10 8500 7421
Admission: RMB 60 (No additional charge for this exhibition)