Jingdezhen ceramics are famous all over the world. Athough Jingdezhen ceramic industry was at a low point from the end of the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, there were still remarkable achievements in ceramic making. 

On January 7, the “Charm of Zhushan: Jingdezhen Modern Literati Ceramic Painting Special Exhibition” kicked off in Changsha Museum, enabling Changsha people to get a better understanding of the exquisite works made in Jingdezhen that were ignored in the past.

Zhushan, located in the center of the old urban area of Jingdezhen, is not only the location of the imperial kilns in the Ming and Qing dynasties, but also the alternative name and symbol of Jingdezhen. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the imperial kilns stopped operation, and a large number of craftsmen flowed into the private sector. 

They sought survival in the difficult situation, which greatly improved the Jingdezhen ceramic making skill and painting level, especially the rise and vigorous development of literati ceramic painting. The literati ceramic painting absorbs the charm of Chinese ink painting and integrates “poetry, calligraphy, painting and sealing”, highlighting the traditional artistic style of the Chinese nation.

According to the executive curator of this exhibition, the exhibition is time-oriented, and focuses on the transformation period of Jingdezhen’s traditional ceramic industry in the late Qing Dynasty and the period of Republic of China. It shows the birth and development of literati ceramic painting with 109 sets of literati ceramic painting artistic treasures, and interprets the craftsmanship spirit of Jingdezhen’s ceramic craftsmen in seeking development in adversity, breaking the closed pattern and daring to explore and innovate.

The exhibition is divided into three units. The first unit shows that folk porcelain artists in the late Qing Dynasty combined with landscape painting to create “light colorful porcelain”, marking the beginning of Chinese literati ceramic painting. 

The second unit mainly displays the pieces of the famille rose porcelain created by Jingdezhen Porcelain Art Research Association (an outstanding representative of the early period of Republic of China) and the “Eight Ceramic Artists of Zhushan”. They further promoted the innovation of Jingdezhen literati ceramic painting art. 

The third unit shows that influenced by the literati ceramics painting in the period of Republic of China, Jingdezhen ceramic industry not only witnessed improved traditional ceramic varieties such as the blue and white porcelain, the ancient painted porcelain and the famille rose porcelain, but also saw new coloring technology introduced, presenting a prosperous scene.

This exhibition is one of the special exhibitions of Chinese civilization in the museum. Before the Spring Festival, the museum plans to launch two exhibitions. In addition to this exhibition, there will also be a special exhibition of Hunan Grand Auspicious Art Exhibition, which will be held before the Lunar New Year. Around the Spring Festival, the museum will launch a series of activities like the collection of “My New Year’s Eve Dinner” pictures and stories, as well as the secret tour of ceramic paintings.

The exhibition is open to the public for free from January 7 to April 5.