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Tales of the Brush Continued: Chinese Paintings with Literary Themes

February 9, 2008 - July 27, 2008

Museum: Freer Gallery of Art

Location: Gallery 13 (Chinese Art)

This exhibition features Chinese artists -- as early as the first century to present day -- who have turned to literature for inspiration for their paintings, works on silk and paper, and other objects. By creating a close correlation between text and image, artists over the centuries have depicted famous mythical scenes, interpreted beloved poems and stories, and illustrated significant events in Chinese history. Among the major literary themes on view are the mythical Nymph of the Luo River, the poetic Thoughts on Ancient Sites by Du Fu, the historical tale of Lady Cai Wenji Returns to Han, and the legendary Female Immortal Chang E.