(Photo provided by Jiangsu Art Museum)
Jiangsu Art Museum Exhibition Hall will reopen on December 31 after more than a year of meticulous restoration. Located on Changjiang Road in Nanjing, the facility is like a gem ready to shine brightly again.
Constructed in August 1936, the exhibition hall is China’s first national-level modern art museum, designed by the renowned architect Xi Fuquan. The main building has four floors, with a facade in the shape of Chinese character “shan” (mountain). It employs the three-part division, common in modern Western architecture, and features shallow relief decorations with distinct national style at the cornice and entrance hall. The spacious and bright exhibition halls are further enhanced by eight black marble columns in each hall, creating a majestic presence.
In 2019, the site was selected as one of the eighth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Adjacent to the old site of the Nanjing Great Hall of the People and situated within the Changjiang Road historic and cultural zone, the venue holds significant importance in the history of modern China.
Upon its reopening, the facility will host a special exhibition showcasing, for the first time on a large scale, over 130 calligraphic works and historical documents related to Zhang Jian (1853-1926).
In 1894, Zhang achieved the highest score in the Palace Examination, earning the prestigious title of “zhuangyuan”. He was a prominent Chinese industrialist and educator, and a pioneer of early modernization in China.
Zhang also cultivated a unique style in calligraphy, which was highly acclaimed in his time. The exhibition not only presents his artistic achievements in calligraphy but also provides a fresh perspective on his life - his commitment to using industry to save the nation and benefit his hometown of Nantong, a reflection of his patriotism, open-mindedness, innovative spirit, and integrity.
The exhibition will be held from December 31, 2024 to March 30, 2025, on the first to third floors of the exhibition hall.
