Bamboo
Attributed to Chu Shen (1618-after 1690), Ching Dynasty
Hanging scroll, ink on silk, 149.5cm x 73.7cm

Album of Flowers
Huang Shen (1687 - ca. 1768), Ching Dynasty
Album, ink and light color on paper, 33.5cm x 45.9cm

Studies by Lamplight
Chou K'ai (fl. late 18th - 19th c.),
Ching Dynasty, dated 1827
Hanging scroll, ink and light color on silk,
45cm x 89.1cm

Gifts from Lin Tsung-i and Lin Cheng-tao
Painting and Calligraphy Donated to the National Palace Museum
Galleries 210, 214
2002/04/01 - 2002/05/14

Lin Tsung-i (style name Chih-ch'ao) was born into the founding Lin clan of Panchiao, which had migrated from Changchow in Fukien Province on the mainland to Taiwan in the late 18th century. In northern Taiwan, the clan cultivated the land and established businesses to make it one of the most prominent there. Over almost 200 years, members of the Lin family have figured prominently in public relief efforts and in promoting the arts, giving generously to their community. Lin Tsung-i graduated from Taiwan University and studied abroad at the University of Tokyo. His son Lin Ch'eng-tao graduated from Columbia University in the US. Inheriting the family business, they expanded in the spirit of enterprise to include not just Taiwan but also Japan and the US. In time remaining from work, father and son both delved into literature, painting, and calligraphy. They took the name "Hall of Calm", their ancestral home in Panchiao, to stamp the works of painting and calligraphy that they collected and treasured.

In 1983, 1984, and 1986, Lin Tsung-i made three separate donations to the National Palace Museum for a total of 70 works of painting and calligraphy. This year, he also selected and gave 70 more important pieces along with 12 works for research purposes. Lin Ch'eng-tao, to support his father's generosity, further added 60 album leaves and fans for donation to the Museum. These gifts from the Hall of Calm date back to Chu Hsi's (1130-1200) "Commentary to The Book of Changes", which is recognized as one of the few pieces of calligraphy by this famous philosopher. This work and Tung Pang-ta's (1699-1769) "Album of Landscapes" were also originally part of the Ch'ing dynasty court collection, which became the core of the National Palace Museum. The "reunion" of these works at the Museum therefore marks a major event for the national collection. Furthermore, painting and calligraphy of the 19th and 20th centuries represents a field in which the Museum has strived to improve. The donations of Lin Tsung-i and Lin Ch'eng-tao, representing many masters of this period from the late Ch'ing and early Republican era, reflect an important contribution to the Museum collection. Considering the large size of the Lin donations and the limited gallery space, a selection of the works has been divided into two rotations of a month and a half each for this special exhibition.

The display represents a celebration of new acquisitions to the National Palace Museum generously donated by Messrs. Lin Tsung-i and Lin Ch'eng-tao and is offered here for all to share. On behalf of the public, the Museum presents this exhibit as a small token of gratitude to Lin Tsung-i and Lin Ch'eng-tao. Furthermore, with the approach of Lin Tsung-i's 80th birthday, this special exhibition also serves as a fitting gift for all to celebrate and appreciate.