Gong Xian Memorial

Gong Xian Memorial

Gongxian Memorial Hall (former residence of Gongxian) is located in the southwest of Qingliangshan, Gulou District, Nanjing city. It was built in 1664. It is of Ming and Qing Dynasties style and brick structure. It covers an area of about 270 square meters.

Original name

As for the origin of the name of Sao Ye Lou, there are historical records during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Gong Xian once drew a self portrait. In the painting, Gong Xian was transformed into the style of Sao Ye monk, hence the name of Sao Ye Lou. In 1889, it was rebuilt under the order of Emperor Guangxu. Later, it was rebuilt twice in 1901 and 1914.

On the stone plaque in the middle of the gate of Gong Xian memorial hall, the three characters of "Qingliangshan" were written by Gong Xian, the owner of Gong Xian memorial hall more than 300 years ago.

Life of the characters

Gong Xian (1618-1689), with a character of half a thousand, was named yeyi, such as chaizhangren and Banmu Juren. People from Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, seem to be patriotic painters and poets with national integrity in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. They are known as the first of the "eight great masters of Jinling". Gong Xian began to study painting at the age of 13. He lived in the late Ming Dynasty, where class and ethnic conflicts were unprecedented. At the age of 21, he came to Nanjing to take part in poetry club activities and criticize the society at that time. Later, in order to make a living, he went to Yangzhou, and then to Hai'an. In 1664, Gong Xian returned to Nanjing and built a "half acre garden" at the foot of the Qingliang mountain. He lived in seclusion and lived a miserable life. His paintings mainly depict the real mountains and water in Nanjing. In his later years, Gong Xian's life was even more difficult, mainly selling calligraphy and painting and receiving students to teach painting. In 1687, Gong Xian met Kong Shangren, the famous dramatist of Peach Blossom Fan. He helped Gong Xian a lot in material and spirit. In 1689, when Gong Xian was seriously ill, he was persecuted by local powerful families. He once turned to Kong Shangren for help. However, before Kong Shangren's help, Gong Xian, 72, died of hunger and cold. After Gong Xian died, Kong Shangren took care of his affairs and buried him back in Kunshan.

The "eight great painters of Jinling" include Gong Xian, Wu Hong, Gao Cen, fan Qi, Ye Xin, Zou Jiji, Hu and Xie sun. They all emphasize the nature of their works and have similarities in painting style. They are called "Jinling painting school".

Address: Qingliangshan Park, 83 Qingliangshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing

Longitude: 118.76066774528

Latitude: 32.048564670771

Tel: 025-83728013

Ticket information: market price: 3.0 yuan