THE ZHUANG WANLI FAMILY DONATION

Service Description

Exhibition Period: August 20, 2025 – April 19, 2026 Venue: Liangtuxuan Painting and Calligraphy Gallery, 3rd Floor, Shanghai Museum Address: 201 People’s Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai Exhibition Introduction Among the vast collection of paintings and calligraphy at the Shanghai Museum, the “Liangtuxuan” donation by Mr. Zhuang Wanli (1899–1965), a Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur, holds a particularly treasured place. A lifelong admirer of Chinese culture, Zhuang devoted himself to recovering cultural relics that had been scattered overseas, amassing hundreds of masterpieces in his private studio, Liangtuxuan. In 2000, with the consent of his descendants, 233 outstanding works were generously donated to the Shanghai Museum, symbolizing the spirit of “returning pearls to the sea.” Titled Returning to the Sea, this exhibition presents these works in rotation at the Liangtuxuan Gallery on the museum’s third floor. The collection spans more than 800 years, from the Song through the Ming, Qing, and modern periods, covering a wide range of themes—landscapes, figures, and calligraphy. Notable highlights include rare Song dynasty landscapes, Ming and Qing figure paintings, and superb late-Ming calligraphy, reflecting the Zhuang family’s discerning eye and refined aesthetic taste. With the completion of the Shanghai Museum East Building, the People’s Square Liangtuxuan Gallery has been renovated and expanded. Supported by a newly extended exhibition line and further scholarly research, the display now offers visitors a more comprehensive view of the collection. It stands as both a tribute to the Zhuang family’s dedication to safeguarding Chinese culture and a celebration of painting and calligraphy as an enduring art form. Collector Introduction Zhuang Wanli (1899–1965) was a Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur who dedicated his life to collecting and preserving Chinese painting and calligraphy. His Liangtuxuan studio became home to numerous cultural treasures, reflecting not only his pursuit of artistic excellence but also his commitment to cultural heritage. His children, Mr. Zhuang Changjiang and Ms. Zhuang Liangyou, faithfully honored their father’s wish by donating a large portion of the collection to the Shanghai Museum in 2000, setting an exemplary model for cultural repatriation and preservation. Visitor Information - Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:00 PM) - Closed on Mondays (except national holidays)