An Zhen And "Mo Yuan Yuan Hui Guan"

This dissertation centers around An Qi and his book Mo Yuan Hui Guan,and is divided into two parts accordingly.The first part,while borrowing past researches and newly uncovered information by myself as foundations to narrate An Qi,his family and friends,attempts to demonstrate An Qi's social status and background.It also focuses on the publication of Shu Pu,a major cultural activity during his early years,as well as his mentor in connoisseurship,Gu Weiyue,a forgotten figure I endeavor to resurrect.The latter part consists of extensive researches on Mo Yuan Hui Guan,which all devote to discuss the orthodox of painting and calligraphy-an idea hidden inside An Qi's documentation of the artists such as Wang Xizhi,Ni Zan,Dong Qichang.It was this idea that drew An Qi the outline for his art collection which was undoubtedly ahead of his time,and hence with the collection itself,became the basis of Emperor Qianlong's collection.