In Tianlun (Discourse on Heaven), a collection of writings attributed to the philosopher Xunzi more than 2,300 years ago, it is said, “Where form takes shape, spirit emerges.” The idea later became central to classical Chinese ink landscape painting — not only capturing the physical beauty of mountains and rivers, but also conveying the spirit of nature and drawing viewers into a meditative realm.
Duet of Nature, an ongoing exhibition at the Macao Museum of Art, explores the artistry and philosophy of shanshui (mountains and waters) paintings from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The exhibition traces how generations of artists carried forward the tradition of Chinese landscape painting through evolving brushwork and personal expression.
