Literati and scholars

Author: Li Geng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: In today's era of reform and opening up, artists have a vast space to express their creative thoughts and forms. Meanwhile, the general audience also has ample freedom to choose their aesthetic preferences. While some people are avidly discussing modern art, a significant portion of the public also shows a strong interest in traditional Chinese figure painting. Figure painting is an important component of Chinese painting, with a long history spanning thousands of years. Through the continuous convergence and erosion of the long river of time, it has gradually formed a rich and noble tradition. These traditions are not only reflected in form and technique but also in subject matter. Immortal and Buddha figures are one of the popular themes among the people. Taoism and Buddhism have been practiced in China for over two thousand years, yet the folk reverence for immortal and Buddha figures far exceeds the boundaries of religion. People's admiration and worship of these figures stem more from their noble qualities—purity, kindness, bravery in the face of justice, the ability to dispel evil and uphold righteousness, and generosity. Therefore, painters did not depict immortal and Buddha figures in ethereal realms but rather portrayed them as ordinary people found everywhere in the mortal world. This made these figures more relatable to the common folk, who found them even more and authentic. Another category of subject matter is the celebrated figures from China's thousands of years of history. These include upright and enlightened emperors and generals, heroic national figures with glorious military achievements, and erudite scholars and literati. These pivotal figures in China's historical development are also idols and role models in the hearts of the people. Their stories are often depicted in figure paintings and passed down through generations. The third category consists of extremely ordinary folk customs from the past, such as fishing, woodcutting, farming, and reading, as well as playing the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, or picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence and carrying a hoe under the moonlit sky. These aspects of life, which have gradually faded in today's modern society, were historically only "enjoyed" by the people during the "peaceful and prosperous" years. The reason people still love to admire these paintings is actually a sense of satisfaction and indulgence in the current society's stability and harmony. The figure paintings in this series of books employ traditional brushwork and modeling, emphasizing lines, realism, and capturing the essence. I believe that after viewing these works, readers will be deeply captivated by the authentic charm of traditional art.