8 THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 



a national benefactor by bringing within the reach of all the 

 message of the great teachings of eastern art. In their works' 

 of the brush the Chinese have inculcated their finest feelings, and 

 no better means could be found for an appreciation of the true 

 spirit of China than a study of her ancient masters. The Ameri- 

 can national collection now takes the lead in Chinese art and 

 will form the basis for important research work to be carried on 

 in this line. Whatever the future results of such research may 

 be, whether the evidence in favor of the authenticity of indi- 

 vidual pieces will be strengthened or to a certain extent modi- 

 fied, this will not detract from the intrinsic value of these precious 

 documents, greater than which no other period in the history of 

 art can boast. The grand old masters of the T'ang and Sung 

 periods are restored to life before our eyes and speak to us their 

 suave language of murmuring brooks, splashing cascades, glis- 

 tening lakes, and rustling firs and pines. China thus is more 

 awake for us than ever before, and she is awakened to full life 

 in the displays of the National Gallery. May the timely event 

 of a temporary, exhibition of selected art works from this 

 unique collection signal "The awakening of China" among our 

 countrymen and give a new stimulus to our artists and art 

 students. 



Berthold Laufer. 

 Chicago, Illinois, March 24, igi2. 



