Ba-Shu masters' artistic legacy unveiled in dual exhibition

The "Masters of the Ba-Shu Region" exhibition features nearly 30 artworks by Zhang Daqian and 70 works by Chen Zizhuang at the Hong Art Museum.

The Ba-Shu region centers on Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality in Southwest China. With a history dating back more than 3,000 years, the region is considered one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. "Zhang Daqian and Chen Zizhuang inspired many of the artists who emerged in the region, and the exhibition features many of their masterpieces, stretching from the 1930s to 50s," said Tian Yuan, founder of the museum.

Born in Sichuan, Zhang Daqian was one of the most prolific and versatile Chinese artists of the twentieth century. Originally known as a traditionalist painter, he was also renowned as a modern impressionist and expressionist painter, and became one of the most gifted artists of his time.

In 2011, Zhang surpassed Pablo Picasso, a contemporary and a friend of his, in auction earnings. In 2022, Zhang's painting "Landscape after Wang Ximeng" fetched 370 million HKD (approximately $47 million) and became his most expensive work ever auctioned off.

The lotus is one of Zhang Daqian's most commonly-used motifs. [Photo provided to engish.liangjiang.gov.cn]

Chen Zizhuang, born in Chongqing, was a self-taught artist of classic Chinese painting. He is renowned for his literati painting, a popular form among Chinese scholar-painters who valued personal erudition and expression over literal representation. Chen used simple, evocative strokes to depict plants growing in the wild, endowing his paintings with vitality and an unrestrained spirit.

Chen Zizhuang depicts plants growing in the wild in his paintings. [Photo/Wang Yantong]

"The exhibition is presented as a tribute to the two great artists and an in-depth exploration of the Ba-Shu culture. We hope visitors can appreciate the distinctive charm of Ba-Shu culture through the artworks," said Tian Yuan.

The exhibition runs until June 17.