Reported by Yu Yu-Jin, Taicheng Daily, Tainan

Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, the first Chinese scholar to earn a PhD in Art Authentication Methodology from London Metropolitan University, held a Mo Hai Chun Qiu – Research on the Authentication and Collection of Ancient and Modern Calligraphy and Painting book appreciation event on January 11 (Friday) at the VIP Hall on the 3rd floor of the Tayih Landis Hotel in Tainan. This event was organized in response to strong requests from calligraphy and painting collectors and enthusiasts in central and southern Taiwan.

A Decade-Long Endeavor to Elevate Art Authentication

With the increasing vitality of the modern art market, ancient and modern artworks have become integral to asset allocation. Recognizing this, Dr. Ye dedicated over ten years to writing Mo Hai Chun Qiu, an extensive scholarly work consisting of six volumes and nearly 750,000 characters. This monumental work synthesizes both academic and practical expertise, incorporating rare and valuable insights.

Dr. Ye personally visited world-renowned museums—including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The British Museum, The Tokyo National Museum, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan—to collect firsthand materials and images for an extensive art database. Additionally, he conducted in-depth interviews with prominent modern and contemporary calligraphers, their students, and family members to acquire exclusive, previously undisclosed information.

At the core of this book is Dr. Ye’s pioneering “Painting/Calligraphy Authenticity Assessment Chart,” a scientific, logical, and systematic framework based on Western art creation methodologies. This groundbreaking approach demystifies the seemingly esoteric field of art authentication.

A Landmark Work in Art Authentication

Following in the footsteps of esteemed authentication experts such as Zhang Heng, Xu Bangda, and Yang Renkai, Mo Hai Chun Qiu is the first comprehensive study of ancient and modern calligraphy and painting authentication that combines scientific rigor, academic depth, systematic analysis, and market insights.

This work provides readers with an in-depth understanding of authentication techniques, guiding them through comparative analysis, brushwork examination, color application, composition, calligraphic strokes, seals, inscriptions, materials, stylistic trends, subject matter, and literary context. These factors are applied to various formats—handscrolls, album leaves, fans, hanging scrolls, and couplets—across different materials such as paper, silk, and damask. The book enables collectors to assess an artwork’s period, artist, style, artistic value, condition, and economic worth in today’s art market.

Dr. Ye also details historical and modern forgery techniques, generously sharing expertise on detecting counterfeits, including contemporary art fraud tactics, allowing readers to quickly develop authentication skills. Written in an accessible style, the book is designed for both specialists and general art enthusiasts.

Unparalleled Visual Reference & Advanced Printing Technology

High-quality image references are crucial for professional authentication. This six-volume set contains nearly 2,000 high-resolution images from major museums worldwide, featuring rare, high-value works that represent different periods in an artist’s career. It effectively compiles dispersed national treasures into a single reference collection.

To achieve the most accurate visual representation of original artworks, Dr. Ye enlisted two professional image editors who spent two years refining each image for optimal clarity. To enhance its collectible value, the book is limited to 2,500 numbered copies, each bearing a unique serial number engraved on a premium metal plate and accompanied by an exclusive collector’s card. The printing process incorporates high-tech security features akin to banknote anti-counterfeiting technology to prevent reproduction. Additionally, the book’s case is crafted from high-cost, durable wooden boards to ensure long-term preservation, protecting it from damage, warping, and pests.

A Lifelong Dedication to Art Education & Authentication

Dr. Ye currently teaches art appreciation and market research at National Taiwan Normal University, National Taiwan University of Arts, and Mo Hai Lou International Art Research Institute. He has also served as an art authentication lecturer for the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Taipei City Police Department’s Forensic Center, and various government institutions. Over the years, he has traveled across Taiwan delivering lectures, with portions of his speaking fees donated to underprivileged students and art programs to encourage artistic creation.

As a respected authentication expert for collectors and auction houses worldwide, Dr. Ye bridges the roles of artist, appraiser, and auctioneer. He is a consultant for major international auction houses and private collectors specializing in calligraphy and painting authentication. His commitment to international art exchange led to the establishment of the Mo Hai Lou Art Authentication Museum in Taipei’s prime district, pioneering a hybrid model combining an art library and museum. This platform serves as a public art space dedicated to reading, professional research, cultural exchange, education, and philanthropy. The museum is also equipped with professional appraisers and cutting-edge authentication technology, playing a crucial role in identifying forgeries.

A Grand Event with Distinguished Guests

The book appreciation event on January 11 welcomed prominent scholars, artists, and collectors, including Director Peng Zicheng from the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. A special auction was also held for a collector’s edition of Mo Hai Chun Qiu, numbered 111, with part of the proceeds donated to underprivileged schools and fine arts departments at National Taiwan University of Arts and National Taiwan Normal University to support scholarships for aspiring artists.

At the Taipei book launch last September, the first numbered copy of the book was acquired for nearly one million NT dollars by philanthropist and entrepreneur Wang Wen-Yang.

A Work of Passion and Dedication

This book represents one of Dr. Ye’s lifelong endeavors. He extends heartfelt gratitude to his mentors, including Professor Brian Falconbridge, Professor Wang Tao (Curator of Asian Art at The Art Institute of Chicago), and world-renowned forensic expert Dr. Henry C. Lee, whose guidance and support played a vital role in bringing this publication to fruition.