Individualists and Eccentrics: The Finlayson Collection of Chinese Paintings

This is a catalogue published for the touring exhibition of the Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Finlayson Collection of Chinese Paintings. The exhibition traveled through Canada and the United States. 'A more colourful group of artists than the Chinese Individualists and Eccentric Painters, who were active between 1650 and 1800, could hardly be imagined. There were distant memb ers of the Imperial family, monks, hermits, philosophers and also dilettantes, bohemians, exhibitionists, drunks and madmen... These artists participated in the last great revival of Chinese painting. While inheriting the traditions of pervious centuries, they tried in one way or another to emancipate themselves. There is... no doubt that the Individualists added daring and freshness to the generally conservative painting prevalent at that time.' (Abstract from foreword by R. W. Finlayson)