Escaping the Turbulent World on Quiet Rivers. Fishermen and Solitary Boats in Chinese Painting

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the East Asian Art Collection — a collection that has itself weathered many turbulent periods throughout its history — this exhibition presents the figure of the fisherman. In Chinese painting, the fisherman embodies, among other things, the idea of escape from the life of a government official in a world defined by upheaval and uncertainty. Solitary boats drifting on calm rivers offer a visual counterpoint to the chaos of public life, evoking ideals of contemplation, freedom, and withdrawal that have resonated across centuries of Chinese art and culture.