Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and the National Museum of China, with the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) as the executive organiser, the exhibition “Duet of Nature: Ming and Qing Landscape Paintings from the National Museum of China” will be inaugurated on 24 April (Friday), at 6pm, on the 4^th floor of MAM. The exhibition features a selection of 65 pieces (sets) of landscape paintings from the collection of the National Museum of China, which were created from the 15^th to 19^th centuries, accompanied by three sets of digital displays, comprehensively showcasing the artistic achievements of landscape paintings created by literati during the Ming and Qing dynasties, offering the public an immersive aesthetic experience of landscape travel. Residents are welcome to visit the exhibition. 

Landscape paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, particularly those created by the literati, represent a pinnacle in traditional Chinese painting. This exhibition showcases an array of spectacular, renowned masterpieces, including Wang Fu’s “Eight Views of Peking”, Shen Zhou’s “Feilai Peak”, Huang Xiangjian’s “A Quest for Parents Across Vast Distances”, Dong Qichang’s “Beigu Mountain”, Gong Xian’s “Lush Trees under White Clouds”, and a section of Xu Yang’s “Emperor Qianlong’s Southern Tour”, as well as outstanding works by remarkable masters such as Tang Yin, Shitao, Wang Yuanqi, and Wu Li. These artworks not only feature the painters’ depictions of nature, but also reflect their philosophical ideas and aesthetic pursuits through imagery and ambience. In order to enhance visiting experience, the exhibition incorporates digital displays, including an immersive VR experience of “Eight Views of Peking”, a digital display of the long handscroll “Emperor Qianlong’s Southern Tour”, and a digital display of “Landscapes, in the style of ancient masters”, fully showcasing the charm of famous paintings through digital technology and presenting the beauty of traditional painting in a new light.

In order to deepen the public's understanding and appreciation of the exhibition, MAM will hold a thematic lecture “On the Painting ‘Emperor Qianlong’s Southern Tour’” on 25 April (Saturday), hosted by Chen Qingqing, curator and associate research fellow at the National Museum of China, who will interpret the political, economic and socio-cultural landscapes of mid-18^th century China through the artworks. Furthermore, in order to cultivate children's interest in visiting the exhibition, the special event for Friends of MAM, “Exploring Landscapes with Ancient Painters – Parent-Child Workshop” will be held on the same day, led by Mei Songsong, Deputy Director and Research Associate of the Department of Social Education at the National Museum of China. Through lectures, guided tours and creative practice, participants will explore the artistic conception, artistic ingenuity and cultural sentiments expressed by the ancients in their works.

In addition, the concert “Music in the Macao Museum of Art” will be held on 3 May at the Museum, featuring a live performance by the Macao Chinese Orchestra to enhance the enjoyment of visitors to appreciate the paintings. On 17 May, the parent-child workshop “Duet of Nature” will be moved to Praça dos Lótus, Bairro da Ilha Verde, sharing the joy with residents in the community. The exhibition also specially launches limited-edition commemorative tickets, which will be distributed free of charge at the opening ceremony. The commemorative tickets are exquisitely designed and have NFC near-field communication function. Visitors can simply tap it with their smartphones to access the audio guides in Cantonese or Mandarin, and therefore the tickets have both collectible and practical values.

The exhibition “Duet of Nature: Ming and Qing Landscape Paintings from the National Museum of China” will be held from 25 April to 26 July at the Macao Museum of Art. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 7pm (no admission after 6:30pm), including on public holidays but is closed on Mondays. Admission is free. Some of the activities require prior registration. Interested residents can register through the Macao One Account “Activity Applications” (activity.mo.gov.mo/activity-h5/). Admission to the activities is free, and selection will be made by drawing lots. 

For more information about the exhibition and related activities, please visit the website of the Macao Museum of Art at www.MAM.gov.mo and its respective page “Macao Museum of Art” on Facebook.