2019 marks the 120th anniversary of famous painter Chang Dai-chien's (1899–1983) birth. Accordingly, places where he had set foot are curating exhibitions to commemorate him. Chang led a wandering life (he once referred to himself as a "voyager for life"), traveling to countries all over the world before ultimately settling in Taiwan in 1978. He built the Chang Dai-chien's Abode of Maya (now Chang Dai-ch'ien Residence) in Waishuangxi, Shilin to fulfill the dream of living in a utopia, a place he had pursued his whole life. The relationship between Chang and the National Palace Museum (NPM) can be described as a close one, as exemplified by his decision to donate the Chang Dai-ch'ien Residence, a place where he had resided in his later years, to the NPM; and by his will to donate his ancient painting and calligraphy as well as Dunhuang art imitations (which he had taken with him during his "voyages") to the NPM. In addition, his family members donated his official seals, most of which were manufactured by renowned seal makers (many of whom came from overseas) to the NPM. A few of said official seals were made by Chang himself and are remarkably precious. Many of the NPM's collection of Chang's masterpieces came from the Da Feng Tang art studio, Chang's friends, and purchases made by the NPM from various art collectors.
Silhouette of a Great Master: A Retrospective of Chang Dai-chien's Art on the 120th Anniversary of His Birth, held on the second floor of the NPM Northern Branch Main Building, introduces representative painting and calligraphy that Chang had created (during the different stages of his career), his seals, related pictures, and 13 painting sets that the National Museum of History temporarily stored at the NPM due to its current renovation. Also presented at the exhibition are never-seen-before artwork Cat and Butterfly (Chang's mother's only surviving painting), Prosperity and Longevity With No End (made by Zeng Xi to celebrate Chang's mother's birthday), and Amitayus (a gift from Li Ruiqing to Chang). This grand exhibition is a tribute to the rich cultural assets left by Chang, the priceless paintings that he created for Taiwan in his later years, and his style and charm.