Verse meets brush in timeless dialogue

"The exhibition guides the audience to interpret the paintings through the lens of poetry. Our lifelong engagement with classical verse makes these works more approachable than displays arranged strictly by chronology or biography," says Dong Baohou, deputy head of the provincial museum.

"The key is to identify the pivotal line of a poem and the focal point of a painting. When you discover the connection between them, you will comprehend the artist's creative intent and fundamental vision."

In his poem Satire on Fair Ladies, the great Tang poet Du Fu depicted Lady Guoguo and her sisters on a lavish spring outing, exposing the Yang clan's indulgent extravagance and overwhelming power in the imperial court.

Yet, the identity of Lady Guoguo in this painting remains unresolved.

Some argue that the foremost figure is Lady Guoguo, a woman dressed in men's attire riding on a refined horse, which aligns with Tang Dynasty trends among noblewomen.

Another points to one of the two central riders, closer to the viewer. A third suggests the woman holding a child at the rear.

"None of these three theories is fully conclusive due to a lack of historical corroboration," Dong says.

"The principal figure is often centrally placed. Also, you can judge a figure's status by their fine attire and superior horses. However, these clues point to different people …This very ambiguity, debated for centuries, is a key source of the artwork's enduring appeal."

Thanks to advanced digitalization of cultural relics, visitors can carefully observe the details of the painting on large interactive screens, from vivid colors to intricate textile patterns.

To safeguard fragile masterpieces, select works in the exhibition will be displayed on a rotating schedule. For example, Lady Guoguo's Spring Outing will be on view until March 1.

"Balancing access and preservation is essential. Our museum typically observes a three-year conservation resting period for important paintings and calligraphy pieces. As there is no fixed industry standard, conservation depends on each work's condition,"Dong says.