Artist Sanyu's Masterpiece "Peking Opera" Debuts at National Museum of History Special Exhibition
Artist Sanyu's masterpiece "Peking Opera," which sold for HKD 47.26 million (approximately TWD 190 million) at Sotheby's Hong Kong, is now on display at the National Museum of History's special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses." The exhibition features six of Sanyu's works, showcasing his longing for his homeland and his use of color. The museum is also hosting "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" exhibition, reflecting on Taiwan's contributions to international art.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:14
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 20:31 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 21:59 (1h 27m after Collected)
Taipei, April 14 (CNA) Late artist Sanyu's work "Peking Opera" was sold for HKD 47.26 million (approximately TWD 190 million) at Sotheby's Hong Kong Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale in March. The National Museum of History today launched the special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses," where "Peking Opera" is also on display, allowing everyone to witness the master's handiwork.
According to Sotheby's, Sanyu rarely created large-scale works. "Peking Opera" (created in the 1950s/1960s) confirms his ambition and confidence when creating this work. Among the only three circus-themed works with inscriptions from the same period, one was auctioned from an American collector, another is in a private collection in Singapore, and the third is currently held by the National Museum of History in Taiwan.
The National Museum of History today held a joint opening ceremony for the collection exhibition "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" and the special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses." After the ceremony, curators led a guided tour. Tsai Yao-ching, a researcher and curator at the National Museum of History, stated that this exhibition will feature six of Sanyu's works.
Tsai Yao-ching said that this year is the Year of the Horse, and the museum's collection also includes many horse-related works. The exhibition entrance features a large "Horse" and a small "Horse" painted by Sanyu. The small "Horse" is a card Sanyu sent to a friend, but within its 10 cm length and 14.5 cm width, one can see how Sanyu mastered color, contrasting a red horse against green grassland, creating a strong visual impact with high contrast. Even without discussing the main subject of the painting, the colors alone can evoke imagination.
Sanyu lived abroad for many years, and "Peking Opera" reflects how he looked back at the folk acrobatics and recreational activities of his hometown during festivals. Tsai Yao-ching pointed out that one can feel the painter's sense of loneliness in "Peking Opera." The four characters "北京馬戲" (Peking Opera) inscribed by Sanyu in the upper left corner of the painting originate from Sanyu's calligraphy skills and embody cultural heritage.
The collection exhibition "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" also gathers works by masters such as Shiy De-jinn and Chang Dai-chien. The exhibition uses the National Museum of History's selection of artists to participate in the São Paulo Biennial as its axis, showcasing how Taiwanese art moved towards internationalization amidst complex political situations through many years as a "national art team."
Hung Shih-yu, director of the National Museum of History, stated that since 1957, the museum was entrusted with the important task of representing, contacting, and selecting artists to participate in the São Paulo Biennial. This continued for 17 years over 9 sessions until 1973, when participation ceased due to factors such as Taiwan's withdrawal from the United Nations and the severance of diplomatic ties with the United States. In the context of limited diplomacy at the time, the National Museum of History became an important channel for the Taiwanese art community to connect with the international world.
The collection exhibition "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" and the special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses" will run from today until May 31 at the National Museum of History. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
According to Sotheby's, Sanyu rarely created large-scale works. "Peking Opera" (created in the 1950s/1960s) confirms his ambition and confidence when creating this work. Among the only three circus-themed works with inscriptions from the same period, one was auctioned from an American collector, another is in a private collection in Singapore, and the third is currently held by the National Museum of History in Taiwan.
The National Museum of History today held a joint opening ceremony for the collection exhibition "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" and the special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses." After the ceremony, curators led a guided tour. Tsai Yao-ching, a researcher and curator at the National Museum of History, stated that this exhibition will feature six of Sanyu's works.
Tsai Yao-ching said that this year is the Year of the Horse, and the museum's collection also includes many horse-related works. The exhibition entrance features a large "Horse" and a small "Horse" painted by Sanyu. The small "Horse" is a card Sanyu sent to a friend, but within its 10 cm length and 14.5 cm width, one can see how Sanyu mastered color, contrasting a red horse against green grassland, creating a strong visual impact with high contrast. Even without discussing the main subject of the painting, the colors alone can evoke imagination.
Sanyu lived abroad for many years, and "Peking Opera" reflects how he looked back at the folk acrobatics and recreational activities of his hometown during festivals. Tsai Yao-ching pointed out that one can feel the painter's sense of loneliness in "Peking Opera." The four characters "北京馬戲" (Peking Opera) inscribed by Sanyu in the upper left corner of the painting originate from Sanyu's calligraphy skills and embody cultural heritage.
The collection exhibition "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" also gathers works by masters such as Shiy De-jinn and Chang Dai-chien. The exhibition uses the National Museum of History's selection of artists to participate in the São Paulo Biennial as its axis, showcasing how Taiwanese art moved towards internationalization amidst complex political situations through many years as a "national art team."
Hung Shih-yu, director of the National Museum of History, stated that since 1957, the museum was entrusted with the important task of representing, contacting, and selecting artists to participate in the São Paulo Biennial. This continued for 17 years over 9 sessions until 1973, when participation ceased due to factors such as Taiwan's withdrawal from the United Nations and the severance of diplomatic ties with the United States. In the context of limited diplomacy at the time, the National Museum of History became an important channel for the Taiwanese art community to connect with the international world.
The collection exhibition "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" and the special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses" will run from today until May 31 at the National Museum of History. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
FAQ
Where is Sanyu's work "Peking Opera" being exhibited?
It is being exhibited at the National Museum of History's special exhibition "Multiple Images of Horses."
What other exhibitions is the National Museum of History hosting?
It is also hosting "The Driving Force – The Convergence and Diffusion of the São Paulo Biennial in Brazil" collection exhibition.