Reflections on the Construction and Value Interpretation of Object Biography for Literati Paintings in the Context of Museum Studies

Abstract

Current research on literati painting primarily focuses on brushwork techniques and aesthetic characteristics, generally confining the value of artworks to their completion stage while overlooking the dynamic shifts in value that occur throughout the long-term transmission, preservation, and dissemination of calligraphy and painting collections. This static approach fails to fully articulate the diverse cultural significance of literati paintings and is ill-suited to the public cultural service needs of contemporary museums. Drawing on the theory of object social life history, this study takes literati paintings from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties held in museum collections as its subject, integrating practical conservation practices, historical records, and representative case studies to establish a comprehensive lifecycle analysis framework for literati paintings. It clarifies the evolving logic of artwork value across stages including creation, transmission and collection, institutional preservation, and public dissemination. Currently, Chinese museums face challenges in public interpretation of literati paintings, such as one-dimensional narratives, lack of material transformation storytelling, and insufficient translation of academic research into accessible content. To address these issues, this paper proposes practical optimization strategies in four areas: rethinking exhibition narratives, opening restoration archives, implementing tiered science communication, and promoting living-value inheritance. By transcending the limitations of traditional static artifact studies, this research offers theoretical insights and practical foundations for revitalizing museum collections of calligraphy and painting and advancing public art education systems.