The Artistic World of Lu Xun

Chengdu Museum's third-floor temporary exhibition hall will host 'The Artistic World of Lu Xun' from June 20 to August 20. Lu Xun (1881-1936), originally named Zhou Zhangshou, later changed his name to Zhou Shuren, with the courtesy name Yushan, which he later changed to Yucai, was from Shaoxing, Zhejiang. A renowned literary figure, thinker, revolutionary, and democratic fighter, he was an important participant in the New Culture Movement and one of the founders of modern Chinese literature. Mao Zedong once commented: 'The direction of Lu Xun is the direction of the new culture of the Chinese nation.' As a great figure of the twentieth century, Lu Xun's personal charm and ideological brilliance almost overshadowed China for a century. In addition to writing and translating, Lu Xun devoted a great deal of energy to art activities. He expounded his views on art in the article 'Suggestions for the Promotion of Fine Arts': 'Fine arts, that is, the use of thought to beautify nature and the heavens. If it conforms to this, then regardless of its external form, it can all be called fine art; such as sculpture, painting, literature, architecture, music, and so on.' Here, 'fine arts' refers to art in a broad sense, which is the current term 'art.' His life was also a life of selfless dedication to art activities. He collected more than two thousand original prints of Chinese modern prints, nearly two thousand original prints of foreign prints, and over six thousand rubbings of steles and Han dynasty portraits; He acquired over six hundred types of Chinese and foreign art books and periodicals; He was among the first to introduce foreign art in Chinese publications; He founded a 'Woodcut Workshop,' training China's first generation of modern printmakers; He organized multiple print exhibitions; He supported and guided more than ten art societies; He edited and published more than ten types of Chinese and foreign art books and periodicals; He designed over sixty book and periodical covers, and inscribed the titles for more than thirty; He published numerous articles on Chinese and foreign art; He translated various foreign art theory books and papers; He left behind a vast amount of manuscripts and calligraphic works. If literary creation is a struggle against suffering, then a lifelong love for art was the source of Lu Xun's happiness. This exhibition, by displaying over 110 sets/pieces of exquisite cultural relics from the Beijing Lu Xun Museum, brings us closer to Lu Xun's artistic world, allowing us to experience the rich and colorful art collection and spiritual world of this literary giant.