Introduction
The National Palace Museum Monthly Series is compiled by putting together articles written for the National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art published by the National Palace Museum (NPM) over the past 30 years (first issue of the National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art dates back to April 1983) to provide readers professional, in-depth, and detailed discussions on and introductions to NPM artifacts, highlighting the achievements of the NPM over the past three decades.
Concept for the National Palace Museum Monthly Series originated in 2008. Captivating NPM articles written over the years were subsequently gathered over two years to produce a collection of articles that systematically and insightfully introduced NPM's artifacts. Seven volumes of the National Palace Museum Monthly Series were later published, winning the acclaim of readers. In response to the high acclaim, the NPM published the Sequel to the National Palace Museum Monthly for its readers.
Dr. Josephine H.L. Chu, author of the National Palace Museum Monthly Series, has worked for the NPM's Department of Painting and Calligraphy for many years; she was also once a member of the NPM's Department of Education, Exhibition and Information Service. The latest National Palace Museum Monthly Series comprises 16 articles written for the National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art published between 1984 and 2013. In addition, Dr. Chu referred to her extensive background in art history and adopted a rigorous research attitude (one in which she has developed from working in the museum industry for many years) to investigate the development of Chinese calligraphy during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties as well as that of the modern era. By combining the different calligraphy schools that emerged over the course of Chinese history with their respective calligraphy styles, the philosophies of Chinese calligraphy are skillfully revealed. Readers will be able to first read about Chinese calligraphy, learn to appreciate Chinese calligraphy, and be trained to compare the calligraphy styles of different calligraphers, the different calligraphy schools that came to being over the course of Chinese history, and the development of calligraphy styles over the years. By developing these skills, readers will be able to embrace the beauty of Chinese calligraphy.
Sequel to the National Palace Museum Monthly upholds the ideals of the NPM to share its artifact research results and to promote education in an effort to present its artifact collection and related achievements to the world. Stay tuned for the release of the Sequel to the National Palace Museum Monthly.