The Artistic World: Chang of the South, Pu of the North

"The phrase “Chang of the South and Pu of the North," which refers to two 20th century painters, Chang Dai-chien and Pu Xin-yu, was first used in a 1935 essay published in the art periodical the Peiping Morning Post. The article looked at the two artists’ different styles and compared them with Ming and Qing Dynasty painters, going as far as to say that their work in some ways exceeded that of those old masters. The article not only demonstrates the two artists’ status and success within contemporary art circles, it also ensured that their reputation, as Chang of the South and Pu of the North, spread far and wide. Chang has been called the pioneer of 20th century Chinese art; Pu is known as a representative figure in 20th century literati painting. The work of one man is imposing and majestic, the other’s is delicate and refined; both have created their own distinctive place. Both artists worked closely with the National Museum of History. In his later years, Chang Dai-chien had frequent interactions with the museum, exhibiting any new painting there. The museum currently has 227 of his works in its collection, mostly from the period he was traveling around Europe, which show the transition from his mature “idea-sketching” style to the splashed ink and color works of his later life. The museum has 219 works by Pu Xin-yu in its collection, mainly from the period following his relocation to Taiwan, showing his painting style in his later years. The two artists explored many different subjects, and in this online exhibition, “Chang of the South and Pu of the North,” we have selected 30 of the finest examples of their work, from landscapes and figurative works to bird-and-flower paintings, in an exploration of the artistic world of these two giants of their generation.