By Reporter Zhu Xiao-Zhen

A six-volume set of Mo Hai Chun Qiu—Collection and Connoisseurship Research into Chinese Painting and Calligraphy was auctioned for NT$990,000. The author, Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, is the first Chinese scholar to earn a PhD in Art Authentication from London Metropolitan University, UK. He currently serves as an assistant professor in the Fine Arts Department at National Taiwan Normal University. Ye once saved a handwritten English manuscript by Hu Shih from being discarded, demonstrating his keen eye for identifying artistic treasures. Initially trained in Chinese painting and calligraphy, how did he transition into the field of art authentication?

From Young Calligraphy Prodigy to Art Authentication Expert

Ye Guo-Shin began learning calligraphy and ink painting at age 8. At age 12, he held his first solo calligraphy exhibition and won first place in the China-Japan Lions Club Calligraphy Competition, which had no age restrictions. He later graduated as a double champion in both calligraphy and Chinese painting at National Taiwan Normal University’s Fine Arts Department exhibition.

At 19 years old, Ye, already a top student, started purchasing paintings to study the techniques of contemporary artists—not for investment, but out of admiration and a desire for permanent collection. He believed that viewing an original artwork was an entirely different experience from looking at a printed reproduction.

The First Chinese Scholar to Obtain PhD in Art Authentication

After completing his master’s degree in Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University, Ye continued his studies in the UK, pursuing a PhD in Visual Arts Authentication and Aesthetics. He spent 10 years in the UK, earning his degree while also mastering both scientific authentication techniques and traditional Chinese methods for evaluating art.

He was deeply influenced by two mentors:

• Dr. Wang Tao, Director of the Asian Art Department at the Art Institute of Chicago, who taught Ye how to assess the energy (“qi“) of a painting by observing the negative space.
• Dr. Henry Chang-Yu Lee, an internationally renowned forensic expert with 60 years of experience in criminal investigations, introduced Ye to the scientific tools and methodologies used in art authentication.

Passionate About Authentication – Traveling the World for Original Works

In one year alone, Ye flew 500,000 miles worldwide to examine original artworks. He once drove over 10 hours just to view paintings in a museum, often skipping meals to maximize his time studying the artworks—determined to imprint their details into his memory.

His dedication extended beyond paintings. To authenticate Hu Shih’s handwritten English manuscript, he spent months meticulously verifying its authenticity to preserve this valuable piece of cultural heritage. Ye recalled the moment he discovered the manuscript, describing how even from a crumpled ball of paper in a discarded box, the handwriting immediately revealed that it belonged to a highly educated individual.

Publishing a Six-Volume Set to Promote Authentication Knowledge

Ye’s goal in publishing Mo Hai Chun Qiu—Collection and Connoisseurship Research into Chinese Painting and Calligraphy was to educate the public on proper authentication techniques and knowledge. He hopes to correct misconceptions in the contemporary art world and encourage more people to collect authentic artworks, preventing them from falling victim to counterfeits.

“The proliferation of fake paintings can destroy the art industry,” Ye warned. He also emphasized the ethical responsibility of authentication experts, stating:

“A true art authenticator must remain objective and impartial, uninfluenced by financial gain. Our duty is to ensure that collectors obtain genuine and valuable works, preserving cultural heritage and keeping it rooted in Taiwan.”

Source: The Epoch Times