Wang Shixiang
Encyclopedia
Wang Shixiang was a Chinese researcher of traditional Chinese culture, leading art collector, poet
and Hanzi-calligrapher.
. Its origin is described as one of the reasons for his talent and sensitivity for the detection of elements from classical Chinese culture. From puberty to the age of about 25 years he led the life of a dandy
, he did not, for example to school, loved playing cricket fights
and the breeding and training pigeons and eagles. When at twenty five years his mother died, his life changed radically. He dropped the revelers life behind him and he engaged in study and writing.
His art collection was during his life an inspiration for craftsmen and scientists worldwide. During the Cultural Revolution
(1966–1976), his collection was seized by the Chinese authorities. After the revolution was given back his collection. In 2003 his collection is part of the Chinese national heritage.
Throughout his life he remained an avid fan of pigeons. English works as Beijing Pigeon Whistleshe wrote in 1999 about his passion. When he won the Prince Claus Award in 2003 in Beijing, pigeons were released as a gesture to the winner.
(1937–1945). He worked at this time to the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City
in Beijing and later became a member of the prestigious Central Research Institute of Culture and History.
Later became a researcher for the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. During the eighties he made regular contributions to the paper China Daily
. But also through other channels, he published much about the investigation he conducted, as in dozens of books he left behind. His publications are in some cases the only available information on specific topics.
Altogether he published over forty books. The bookClassic Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynastiesis considered his most influential work. It is a meticulous, precise work that includes all of his studies he made to Chinese furniture.
Wang received the 2003 Prince Claus Award "in recognition for his meticulous research into popular culture and decorative arts of the Chinese People's Republic. Knowledge of traditions and skills to document and disseminate he contributed to the recovery of the dislocation caused by the Cultural Revolution was caused in this way for current and future generations the cultural heritage preservation and transfer. " Usually the main prizes of the Prince Claus Prize awarded in the Netherlands. In 2003, Wang, however, old age, 89 years, so the awards this time by the embassy in Beijing
was organized.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and Hanzi-calligrapher.
Youth
Wang was born into a wealthy family. So was his father was a diplomat and his mother have been possible to study abroad. His ancestors were three generations at the court of the Chinese Qing DynastyQing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. Its origin is described as one of the reasons for his talent and sensitivity for the detection of elements from classical Chinese culture. From puberty to the age of about 25 years he led the life of a dandy
Dandy
A dandy is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of Self...
, he did not, for example to school, loved playing cricket fights
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and the breeding and training pigeons and eagles. When at twenty five years his mother died, his life changed radically. He dropped the revelers life behind him and he engaged in study and writing.
His art collection was during his life an inspiration for craftsmen and scientists worldwide. During the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
(1966–1976), his collection was seized by the Chinese authorities. After the revolution was given back his collection. In 2003 his collection is part of the Chinese national heritage.
Throughout his life he remained an avid fan of pigeons. English works as Beijing Pigeon Whistleshe wrote in 1999 about his passion. When he won the Prince Claus Award in 2003 in Beijing, pigeons were released as a gesture to the winner.
Career
Wang began his career after the Second Sino-Japanese WarSecond Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
(1937–1945). He worked at this time to the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum...
in Beijing and later became a member of the prestigious Central Research Institute of Culture and History.
Later became a researcher for the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. During the eighties he made regular contributions to the paper China Daily
China Daily
The China Daily is an English language daily newspaper published in the People's Republic of China.- Overview :China Daily was established in June 1981 and has the widest print circulation of any English-language newspaper in the country...
. But also through other channels, he published much about the investigation he conducted, as in dozens of books he left behind. His publications are in some cases the only available information on specific topics.
Work
Wang was internationally known for his extensive study of a wide range of cultural relics, artifacts and manifestations, including furniture, Chinese lacquer art, bamboo carvings, pigeon whistles, a large number of traditional crafts and music. His knowledge ranges from trivial matters to esoteric, from Chinese manuscripts and objects to intangible cultural affairs.Altogether he published over forty books. The bookClassic Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynastiesis considered his most influential work. It is a meticulous, precise work that includes all of his studies he made to Chinese furniture.
Awards
Wang won a 1985 award from the Chinese Ministry of Culture where he was described as one of the most distinguished individuals in the fields of culture, history and museum studies.Wang received the 2003 Prince Claus Award "in recognition for his meticulous research into popular culture and decorative arts of the Chinese People's Republic. Knowledge of traditions and skills to document and disseminate he contributed to the recovery of the dislocation caused by the Cultural Revolution was caused in this way for current and future generations the cultural heritage preservation and transfer. " Usually the main prizes of the Prince Claus Prize awarded in the Netherlands. In 2003, Wang, however, old age, 89 years, so the awards this time by the embassy in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
was organized.