Li Xia's Last Will and Testament Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars

Author: Li Xia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Author Li Xia was called "a master of figure painting" by Wu Changshuo. She has won awards in places like Panama and New York. This book collects the final works of Li Xia's Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, with each illustration accompanied by text and poetry, making it highly valuable for artistic appreciation. It can also serve as a study of the long-standing folk cultural and historical heritage. The book employs innovative techniques, combining the traditional brushwork of the Min School, which excels in both fine and bold lines, with the principles of human anatomy and architectural perspective from Western painting. The twenty-four illustrations are stylistically unified, tightly composed, yet full of variation. The characters, whether young or old, male or female, noble or humble, are perfectly suited to their roles; their expressions of joy, sorrow, love, and hatred are perfectly aligned with the plot. All figures are depicted with lively movements and vivid postures. The background elements are closely designed to enhance the main figures while showcasing a variety of painting techniques, such as landscapes, trees and rocks, buildings, boats and bridges, birds and animals, insects and fish, seasonal scenery, and various types of utensils—all of which are common in modern Fujian folk art. It seems she intentionally chose the stories of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars to comprehensively demonstrate her artistic prowess.