Mu Xin museum preserves artist's legacy

Untitled, ink and color by Mu Xin. [Photo provided to China Daily]

As a special show for the opening of Mu Xin Museum, five pieces of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's manuscripts, 20 of his books first published at the beginning of the 19th century and photos of him are shown in a section dedicated to him and Mu Xin. Mu and Nietzsche shared some similarities in their personal lives: Both were unmarried and childless.

"Mu Xin was deeply influenced by Nietzsche's works," says Chen.

Through this exhibition, the Mu Xin Museum also brings Nietzsche's manuscripts to China for the first time.

"We're surprised to find a master in Asia influenced by Nietzsche so much," says Ralf Eichberg, director of Nietzsche Foundation.

There will be opportunities for the museum to take Mu's works to Germany as well, he adds.

The opening show also has a part on Mu Xin and Lin Fengmian. The late Chinese oil painter was a teacher to Mu, and 10 of his oil paintings are displayed alongside Mu's to form a comparison.

Chen says Mu was largely influenced by Western masters in literature and art. He met Mu in New York in 1984 and was fascinated by Mu's vast knowledge of both fields. In the early 1990s, Mu lectured for free to many Chinese artists and writers who traveled to New York and met him at friend's houses.