The “Elegant Gathering in the Western Garden,” the most famous legend in Chinese cultural history, is said to have been a grand get together held in the Northern Song capital of Bianjing (modern Kaifeng) attended by such literary and artistic luminaries as Su Shi (1037-1101), Huang Tingjian (1045-1105), Li Gonglin (1049-1106), Mi Fu (1052-1108), and Wang Shen (ca. 1048-1104). Though modern scholars have concluded that the gathering likely never took place, for many centuries, this romanticized event involving famous literati was passed down and became the prototype for scholarly gatherings through the ages.

This special exhibition revolving around the gathering begins with calligraphy and a series of images in the first section entitled “Elegant Gathering in the Western Gathering.” The second section of the exhibit is titled “Free and Easy to the Heart’s Content,” which highlights the achievements in painting and calligraphy of those said to have attended the gathering. And finally, the last section of this special exhibition, titled “The Paragon for Generations to Come,” includes specially selected copies by later artists of works by Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, and Li Gonglin to illustrate their lasting influence in the history of Chinese painting and calligraphy.

Regardless of whether this elegant gathering of almost a thousand years ago occurred or not, today another precious gathering of treasured painting and calligraphy by and related to these literati is taking place in the Taipei suburb of Waishuangxi at the National Palace Museum, thus helping to make this legendary dream come true on the beautiful island of Taiwan. As we celebrate the centennial of the Museum’s founding, we hope and endeavor that the National Palace Museum can become another garden of culture to nurture and cultivate future generations in the arts.