Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Welcomes Major Gift of Sinologist Robert van Gulik's Chinese Collection
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced a significant addition to its collection with the generous gift of 54 objects from the estate of renowned sinologist and diplomat, Robert van Gulik (1910-1967). This collection, donated by the Van Gulik family, includes a distinctive array of Chinese seals, a lengthy scroll of seal prints, calligraphies, and a notable painting.
This acquisition is considered a landmark for the museum, enhancing its presentation of Chinese art and culture. According to Ching-Ling Wang, Curator of Chinese Art at the Rijksmuseum, the gift "changes the image held in the West of Chinese art," demonstrating a Dutch individual's exceptional contribution to Chinese literati culture.
Exploring Chinese Literati Culture at the Rijksmuseum
The newly acquired collection centers on seal carving, one of the "four great Chinese literati arts," alongside calligraphy, poetry, and painting. Robert van Gulik, himself a talented seal carver, amassed these objects throughout his life. The core of the gift comprises 50 Chinese seals and a unique 13-meter scroll. This scroll, compiled by Van Gulik between 1928 and 1966, features prints from seals created by himself and his associates among Chinese literati and Japanese artists. Many prints include personal dedications, creating a historical document of an era and embodying the spirit of "Yaji," or "elegant gathering," where literati would meet to appreciate and exchange artworks.
Beyond seals, the gift includes a pair of calligraphy couplets by Van Gulik, each bearing his personal seal prints, showcasing his talent as a poet. Additionally, the museum received a scroll painting from the late 17th to early 18th century by Luo Mu (1622–1706), a painter, poet, and prose writer from Jiangxi renowned for his landscapes.
The Legacy of Robert van Gulik
Robert van Gulik's life was marked by his profound engagement with Chinese culture. After studying Sinology, he embarked on a diplomatic career, serving in China and Japan. He is uniquely recognized as the sole European acknowledged as a "literatus" in China, embodying the ideal scholar-official through his mastery of calligraphy, playing the classical Chinese instrument Qin, and his involvement in art. Van Gulik was also a prolific academic, publishing on diverse subjects from Tibetan equestrian culture to Chinese scroll paintings. To the broader public, he is perhaps best known as the author of the popular Judge Dee detective novels.
Visitors interested in delving deeper into Robert van Gulik's influence and the significance of this collection may find additional context through related events. In April 2021, the Royal Asian Art Society in the Netherlands (KVVAK) hosted an online symposium dedicated to his work, including discussions on the Rijksmuseum gift. The symposium also featured virtual tours of two then-current exhibitions on Van Gulik, one at the Rijksmuseum’s Asian Pavilion and another at the China Cultural Center in The Hague.
This remarkable donation further cements the Rijksmuseum's position as a leading institution for Asian art, offering new insights into the intricate world of Chinese literati culture. To explore more of the Rijksmuseum's vast collections and discover other cultural highlights in the city, visit Musemap (musemap.art) to browse museums in Amsterdam or view them on the interactive map.
