For 5,000 years, China has precipitated a splendid civilization and inherited countless valuable antiquities, many of which have become treasures. Tang Taizong Li Shimin was an avid collector of paintings and calligraphy, and it is rumored that he even treasured Wang Xizhi's "Orchid Pavilion Collection Preface" in his mausoleum. In contemporary times, Ma Weidu, a famous collector who lives in Beijing's Second Ring Road, has attracted attention with the scale of his private museum and rich collections, and has become a well-known collector in the country.
Ma Weidu, born in Beijing in 1955, was born in a ** family and spent his childhood in the Air Force compound. A typical naughty and mischievous teenager who is curious about the outside world. However, his academic career did not go well, and he dropped out of school between the ages of 16 and 18, but he was not wasted, but immersed in the world of reading. Recalling that time, he mentioned a copy of his neighbor's "Dream of Red Mansions", which was banned and sparked his great interest in reading. This experience was closely linked to his later fit as a collector.
In the early days of his work, he focused on literary creation and made remarkable achievements. In 1981, "China Youth Daily" published ** "The Moon is Full Tonight" caused a sensation and made him stand out. In the same year, he was transferred to the editorial position of "Youth Literature", and enjoyed the editorial work that was the envy of others at that time. However, in the early days of reform and opening up, he was not satisfied with a single field, turned to the trading of Chinese herbal medicines, and quickly accumulated wealth with his shrewd business acumen.
The buying and selling of Chinese medicinal materials laid the material foundation for his future collection of antiques, and most of his wealth was used for the acquisition of antiques. In the late 80s and early 90s of the last century, he cooperated with friends in the literary world Wang Shuo and Liu Zhenyun to establish the "Haima Film and Television Creation Studio", and launched film and television works such as "The Story of the Editorial Room" and "Haima Song and Dance Hall", which achieved great success.
Fascinated by antiques, Ma Weidu gradually made a name for himself in the world of collecting, which was published in 1992, and his dream private museum, the Guanfu Museum of Classical Art, was officially established in Beijing in 1996 and opened to the public in 1997. His museum is not only loved by the audience, but also by politicians. In 1999, the Guanfu Museum showcased the beauty of ancient Chinese architecture at the World Architecture Congress, which attracted global attention. He is also actively involved in international cultural exchanges, and in 2002 he presented traditional Chinese art in France, which received unanimous acclaim.
As for Ma Weidu's worth, it has always been the focus of speculation from the outside world. It is estimated that the total value of his collection is more than $7.5 billion, and his own answer is quite mysterious and once a mystery. In any case, his collecting journey has been extraordinary, and his multiple identities in the fields of literature, commerce and collecting have made him a leader in the contemporary world of collecting.