This exhibition with works from the Macao Art Museum (MAM) collection will feature watercolor paintings of old Macau. The pieces are from the mid-19th century to the 20th century and present a landscape of Macau you have never seen. It is arranged in four sections, namely, The Coastline, Peaceful Time, Fishing Sceneries and Modern Glitz. Through the perspective and works of more than 20 Chinese and Western artists, the exhibition showcases Macau’s topographical, landscape and social transformations over the last century or so, while at the same time allowing visitors to appreciate the rich and diverse styles presented by different artists in their watercolors. The show gives audiences an opportunity to revisit historical Macau, and cherish the memory of a bygone era by indulging in imagery that has disappeared forever.
Watercolor only began as a popular art form in the 18th century in Europe. Due to its plasticity and convenience of use, it was still the most preferred painting medium in the 19th and 20th centuries. With growing international trade and individual travel, watercolor became a wonderful tool for artists to sketch local sceneries and customs. In the 19th century, artists like George Chinnery and Auguste Borget traveled to various countries along with merchants. Those who set foot in Macau loved to depict its scenery using watercolor sketches or panoramic composition.
Sailboats anchored in the Inner Harbour depicted by George Chinnery in The Praia Grande from the South, and exotic fluttering flags in The Forte of St. Tiago da Barra painted by Marciano António Baptista, or the impressive Guia Lighthouse and Chapel of Our Lady of Guia seen from afar at Praia Grande – as depicted by E. Hildebrandt in Macau, 1862, were views that invariably caught the artists’ eye.
When: September 28, 2018—February 10, 2019
Where: Exhibitions Gallery 2/F, Macao Museum of Art, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, Macau
How much: Free entry
