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Wan Fung Art Gallery

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Mutt
Mutt
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Wan Fung Art Gallery

  • January 5, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Mutt from Ankara, Turkey
Wan Fung Art Gallery

Hidden away on a side street running along the eastern edge of the Forbidden City is a fascinating little compound housing treasures both ancient and modern.

Huangshi Cheng (daily 9am-7pm, free) was constructed in 1534 by Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and reconstructed in 1807 by Emperor Jiaqing (1760-1820) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) this is the oldest surviving Imperial archival vault in China. The perfectly preserved courtyard complex consists of a magnificent main hall along with two flanking side halls and an imposing entrance all constructed without a single piece of wood in order to guard against fire. The central Main Hall of the Archives with it’s Imperial glazed tile roof was once home to China's most important writings (although curiously not a sign of the otherwise omnipresent Harry Potter), these included;

  • the Yongle Dadian one of the world’s first encyclopedias commissioned in 1403 by Emperor Yongle (1360-1424)
  • the Jade Book recording the Emperor’s own Imperial genealogies
  • the Shilu true narration historical records
  • the Shengxun Imperial teachings
  • the Yudie precious record of Imperial edicts
  • the Da Qing Huidian compendia of Qing law
  • and the Imperial General’s Seals

all stored in 152 great gold-plated camphor wood cabinets covered with copper dragon designs that can still be viewed by peeping through the glass panels in the securely locked doors. Many of these writing were sadly lost during the Eight-Nation Alliance’s destructive repression of the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) but some of the cabinets can still be viewed.

The complex is now owned by renowned art-critic Kwok Ho-mun, who in 1986 established the Wan Fung Art Gallery. From its headquarters in Hong Kong this fine arts organisation has run exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art across the world. The capital branch Beijing Wan Fung Art Gallery (Mon 12:00-18:00 + Tue-Sun 9:00-11:00&13:00-16:30, free) has been set up here in the side halls of the complex where regularly rotating exhibitions of traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings, watercolours and engravings are displayed in surprisingly spacious and well lit and surroundings. Solo artist exhibitions at the gallery have recently included;

  • The Sounds collection by Wang Jie
  • the pencil sketches of Kuang Han
  • the Leisure and Peace collection by Zhao Chenxiang
  • the Mother Affection collection by Du Yingqiang
  • and the oil paintings of Li Jisen

to see what is currently on display visit the gallery’s website at wangfung.com.cn.

Just off from the bustle of Tian’anmen Square this quiet little compound offers a peaceful escape to contemplate contemporary Chinese art.

From journal Beijing’s Imperial City: Beyond the Palace Walls

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