Made in China: A unique view of Chinese art during Qing dynasty

@Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou

From 23 September 2017, MOA | Museum Oud Amelisweerd is presenting the exhibition Made in China – Armando & masterpieces of the Qing dynasty. In a year when many museums are focusing on China, Made in China is distinguished by its focus on classical Chinese painting and calligraphy and a very diverse selection of export art. Also represented in the exhibition is Armando, whose work displays a surprising number of similarities to Chinese art of the eighteenth century.

@Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou

High-class Cantonese applied art
In Made in China, MOA is focusing on the history of the country estate that houses the museum. The wonderfully preserved eighteenth-century Chinese wallpaper in the house, which is unique in the Netherlands, is linked to examples of export art from the same period. The exhibition shows beautifully decorated lacquer, fans, textiles, ceramics and silverware of the highest possible quality, produced especially for the Western elite in Canton.

@Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou

Highlights by famous Chinese masters
Dutch collections usually comprise a lot of Chinese porcelain, which was made for export. Only a handful of paintings give an idea of what Chinese artists made for their home market. Made in China shows works that were created for and collected by the Chinese elite during the Qing dynasty; the fin de siecle of classical Chinese culture. This is the first time a Dutch museum is placing such a focus on eighteenth-century autonomous Chinese painting. Eighteen top paintings by leading Chinese masters will be coming to Utrecht from the Guangdong Museum, in China. They will include hanging scroll paintings by the famous Wang Hui (1632-1717) and Jin Nong (1687-1733). Most of the calligraphy displayed on nearly all Chinese paintings has been translated, and the translations form a special feature of the exhibition.

@Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou

Chinese influences in Armando’s art
A familiar part of MOA’s exhibitions is the work of Dutch artist Armando, which is always presented in relation to the other works on display. Armando’s view of landscape shows many similarities to the Chinese tradition. Armando is one of the few Western artists to create both horizontal and vertical landscapes, the latter of which display visual relationships similar to those of Chinese hanging scroll paintings. And the insignificance of mankind forms an important theme in his work, as it did for the Chinese landscape painters. Made in China includes twelve works by Armando, ranging from drawings in Indian ink to landscapes.

@Colijn van Noort

About MOA
MOA | Museum Oud Amelisweerd is a ‘house of art’ in the countryside. The museum exhibits a combination of three different collections: the biggest and widest collection of works by Armando, the listed building Oud Amelisweerd and some unique historic wall coverings.