During the G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016, the world was captivated by a couplet that showcased the enchanting scenery of Hangzhou West Lake, described as “bright mountains and clear waters, beautiful in sunshine and peculiar in rain.” This masterpiece, crafted by the renowned couplet master Huang Wen Zhong, was inscribed for the “West Lake – A Scenery of the World” pavilion on Gushan: “Water and mountains, everywhere bright and beautiful; Sunny and rainy, always wonderful and peculiar.”
A couplet, in its concise form, encapsulates the beauty of poetry, the charm of rhyme, and the interest of calligraphy. It serves as a medium to bring the ancient Chinese civilization to the world, from a small pavilion on Gushan to an international summit. The Hangzhou Museum has curated a special exhibition that has carefully selected 60 pieces/sets of couplet calligraphy and related exhibits from their collection. These works span from the early Qing Dynasty’s rubbing style, through the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods’ seal and clerical scripts, to the late Qing and Republic of China’s stele style, tracing the development of couplet calligraphy art over three centuries. The exhibition is open from September 25th to March 20th, with specific business hours subject to the daily opening status.
