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Jingguanlou Collection

Jingguanlou

Jingguanlou is a private art collection primarily on 20th-century Chinese painting and calligraphy, compiled by the local connoisseur Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen. Dr Wong has generously donated to the Hong Kong Museum of Art a total of 1,110 priceless works of art from various categories: works by masters of the Shanghai School of painting; a collection of couplets, folding fans and albums, dating from the Qing dynasty to the modern era; a series of purple clay teapots with rubbings; and his own photographic works. With a particular fondness for the Shanghai School, Dr Wong has encountered many of the Shanghai famous artists and established a comprehensive collection of works created by Zhu Qizhan (1892 – 1996), Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997) and Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020) at different stages in their lives. Reflecting the close friendships that he enjoyed with these masters of Chinese art, Dr Wong's collection not only serves as an invaluable resource for research into the Shanghai School in the modern era, but also illustrates the development of Chinese painting and calligraphy in the 20th century. Dr Wong's photographs are also highly valued for the appreciation of Chinese art and culture. Profoundly influenced by Zhu Qizhan, he explores and strives to break through the visual language of photography with undertones of traditional aesthetics.

The term Jingguanlou literally means "the studio of silent viewing" and is derived from the wisdom of Cheng Ho, a famous Confucian scholar of the Northern Song, that "All things can provide contentment when viewed with calm contemplation", which emphasises the inspiration that is derived from inner vision. It reflects Dr Wong's philosophy in collecting, which is based on serendipity and a calm mind. In November 2021, Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen donated his lifelong collection to the HKMoA to give the public the opportunity to share his joy in and affection for the outstanding Chinese art he has acquired. The abundant and valuable items from Jingguanlou have not only enriched the museum collection of 20th-century painting and calligraphy, but also laid a solid foundation for the HKMoA to be a noticeable hub for the collection and research on Chinese painting and calligraphy. The donation further recognises the HKMoA as a home for local private collections and has enhanced its status as an international museum.

With heartfelt gratitude to Dr Wong's selfless contribution to the museum, a dedicated gallery, named the "Jingguanlou Gallery" will be established on the fourth floor of the HKMoA for display and appreciation of this significant donation.

 

The Founder of Jingguanlou: Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen

Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen is a retired doctor, renowned photographer and collector. A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, he embarked on a long career as a medical specialist. He is also a photographer who has received numerous international awards, and his artistic vision and insights provide the inspiration for his collections. Entitled Zhanyuantang in early years, Dr Wong's collection initially focused on the works by the masters of Shanghai School of painting, and later formed the Jingguanlou, which is the culmination of his efforts to establish a collection of 20th-century Chinese painting and calligraphy. Back in the 1980s, Dr Wong was invited to join the Min Chiu Society, the famous Hong Kong collectors' group, and once served as its president. He currently acts as Museum Expert Advisor for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

  • River village with clouds
    • Zhu Qizhan (1892 – 1996)
    • 1994
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 96.8 x 59.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Jiangnan in March
    • Zhu Qizhan (1892 – 1996)
    • 1983
    • Square scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 66.5 x 66.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Narcissus in snow
    • Zhu Qizhan (1892 – 1996)
    • 1977
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 128 x 100.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Plum blossoms
    • Zhu Qizhan (1892 – 1996)
    • 1990
    • Horizontal scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 48.5 x 90.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Scenery of Ding Lake
    • Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997)
    • 1963
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 89 x 42.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Lotus
    • Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997)
    • Ca. 1970s
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 87 x 51.7 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Dove and spring bamboo
    • Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997)
    • 1949
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 82.2 x 41.2 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Stream in autumn mountain
    • Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997)
    • 1966
    • Handscroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 24.5 x 51.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Birds and bamboo
    • Xie Zhiliu (1910 – 1997)
      Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • 1986
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 76.8 x 51.6 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Lotus
    • Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • Before 1956
    • Hanging scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 102.5 x 39.8 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Visiting a friend in spring
    • Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • 1993
    • Square scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 68.3 x 65.2 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • A mighty tree for shade
    • Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • 1992
    • Square scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 67.4 x 66.6 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Mountains after rain
    • Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • 1992
    • Square scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 66.2 x 66.6 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Snowscape
    • Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • 1991
    • Square scroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 65.8 x 67.7 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Boating among flowers
    • Chen Peiqiu (1923 – 2020)
    • 1996
    • Handscroll, ink and colour on paper
    • 18 x 56.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Teapot of gourd shape in purple clay with recumbent deer
    • Painted by Cheng Shifa (1921 – 2007)
      Made by Xu Xiping (dates unknown)
      Engraved by Shen Juechu (1915 – 2008)
    • 1985
    • Ceramics
    • H 11.6 cm W 17 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Rubbing of teapot of gourd shape in purple clay with recumbent deer
    • Rubbed by Wan Yuren (1916 – 1999)
    • 1985
    • Ink rubbing
    • 32.7 x 61.9 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Couplet in seal script
    • Qi Baishi (1864 – 1957)
    • 1944
    • Pair of hanging scrolls, ink on paper
    • Each 135.5 x 32.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Couplet in running script
    • Xu Beihong (1895 – 1953)
    • 1943
    • Pair of hanging scrolls, ink on paper
    • Each 130 x 31.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Lone angler on a snowy river
    • Chao Shao-an (1905 – 1998)
    • 1986
    • Fan, ink and colour on gold paper
    • 16.5 x 51 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Daybreak in riverside village
    • Lu Yanshao (1909 – 1993)
    • 1986
    • Fan, ink on gold paper
    • 16.2 x 50.5 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Thatched pavilion in Jianggan; Verse of Three Lovely Ladies in running script
    • Zhang Daqian (1899-1983)
    • 1940
    • Folding fan, ink or ink and colour on gold paper
    • 18 x 52 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Sailing on the autumn lake; Poem in cursive script
    • Huang Binhong (1865 – 1955)
      Jao Tsung-I (1917 – 2018)
    • Not dated
    • Folding fan, ink or ink and colour on paper
    • 22.5 x 53 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Combination of painting and calligraphy
    • Wu Hufan (1894 – 1968)
    • 1949
    • Folding fan, ink on gold-sprinkled paper or ink and colour on paper
    • 18.5 x 47 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen
  • Spring condensed
    • Wong Kwai-kuen, Leo
    • 2006
    • Photography
    • 114.3 x 75.7 cm
    • Jingguanlou Collection donated by Dr Leo Wong Kwai-kuen