Illustrated Edition of the Four Great Classical Novels by Renowned Artists (Luxury Version)

Author: Cao Xueqin et al. / Liu Danzhai et al. Illustrated
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features: In the late stage of feudal society in China, literature and art became increasingly popular and secularized under the transformation of social trends, giving rise to renowned popular novels such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West, and Dream of the Red Chamber. After their circulation, these works were enthusiastically welcomed by a vast readership, especially the urban class. As a result, book merchants competed to publish them, leading to an endless variety of editions, among which the illustrated engravings stood out. These engravings added a new dimension to traditional novel texts and opened a new path for Chinese painting art. The illustrated format complemented the functions of painting and literature, enhancing readers' interest and enriching their aesthetic experience. Of course, due to the limitations of printing and engraving technology at the time, the quality of the illustrations varied, with some engravings being crude and poorly executed. However, this did not hinder the popularity of this beloved book format, which gradually entered households across the nation. In recent years, the illustrated format has become a trend and fashion in new book publications, with lively characters and rich plots in ancient novels being the top choices. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West, and Dream of the Red Chamber have all been published with color illustrations or engravings, showcasing the new vitality in the publishing of classical novels. However, a large-scale project that presents each classic novel's essence through hundreds of panoramic Chinese paintings, blending colorful scrolls with complete texts, remains unparalleled. In an era of cultural enlightenment, a grand publishing effort is needed to restore the brilliance of the Four Great Classical Novels, recreate their magnificent charm, and enhance their timeless value. Shanghai Cishu Press has invited over 100 contemporary Chinese painting masters from across the country to spend two years creating approximately 300 exquisite illustrations for each classic novel. At the same time, experts have meticulously revised and punctuated the entire text, while renowned designers have crafted comprehensive layouts for every chapter and page. The result is a full-color, hardcover set of four massive volumes titled The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters, available in both () and () editions.
Illustrations have been a part of books since ancient times, with famous painters often collaborating on renowned works. For example, Chen Hongshou's Water Margin Leaves from the late Ming Dynasty and Du Jin's Water Margin Figures from the Chenghua era are celebrated illustrations for Water Margin. Similarly, the Ming Dynasty painter Shang Xi's Killing Generals by Guan Yu and Emperor Zhu Zhanji's Zhuge Liang in Solitary Retreat were paired with Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Other notable works include Qiao Qi's (Qiqiao) Illustrated Dream of the Red Chamber from the Guangxu era, the Ming Dynasty collaboration of Jiao Mi, Dong Qichang, and Chen Jiru on Painted Anthology of Tang Poems, and Zhang Mengwei's Verses of the Brothel. These artworks, paired with the texts, have become treasures in the history of Chinese literature and art and will endure for generations. These versions have also become prized possessions in private collections, enduring through time. However, ancient books were often privately printed by bookshops or wealthy families, making it impossible to gather a large number of painters and artisans. As mentioned earlier, having even a few renowned masters participate was already considered exceptional. The The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters luxury edition, however, brings together such a large number of distinguished painters from across the country, a rarity in publications worldwide. It is a high-level treasure that fuses classical Chinese painting and literature, representing the pinnacle of contemporary Four Great Classical Novels publishing. It is a timeless masterpiece.
Exceptional quality, profound depth, extraordinary taste, noble status. This is the perfect experience offered by The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters luxury edition. From any angle or detail, its craftsmanship is breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters luxury edition has been meticulously designed by renowned bookbinding expert Yuan Yinchang and his team, leaving no detail untouched.
Layout: Emphasizes illustrations while ensuring smooth reading. Some pages feature full-illustration spreads, while others interweave images and text, creating a harmonious blend. Printed on 80g Japanese [Prince] coated paper, printed by Shenzhen Lifeng Yagao in four colors.
Cover: Hardcover with five-color printing on Korean embossed paper, wrapped in 170g French super-sensitive paper with six-color printing, enhanced with UV gold and silver foiling. The cover features a beautifully designed box with a streamlined fold, containing four antique-style book slots, exuding elegance and sophistication. Made of Dutch gray board and multi-layered board, wrapped in 105g Japanese Heiwa paper, with UV gold and silver foiling, and a cover with color-printed Xuan paper, secured with leather clasps.
Certificate of Authenticity: Includes a (exquisite certificate of authenticity).
Striving for perfection, dedicated to quality and depth. Focusing on texture, preserving the original essence. The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters consists of two parts: the original text and newly created illustrations. The selected texts are reliable and have been cross-checked against several representative editions, with reference to influential new editions from the past 20 years. The full text is retained without abridgment, punctuated by experts to preserve the original flavor. This ensures the text combines the strengths of various editions while remaining concise.
Dream of the Red Chamber: A Dream of the Red Chamber is a book of endless wonder, truly a timeless masterpiece! In the history of Chinese classical novels, Dream of the Red Chamber is the most renowned, widely circulated, and read, with the most abundant editions. Since its publication, it has sparked endless criticism and debate, forming a prominent field of study—Redology. People continue to publish, read, and study Dream of the Red Chamber, a testament to its eternal charm and timeless value. For two years, masters of northern and southern Chinese painting have meticulously created 350 color illustrations, accompanying the text with scenes or character portrayals, using either bold ink wash or delicate brushwork to artfully recreate the rich social life and vivid characters of the original.
Journey to the West: Wu Cheng'en's mythological novel Journey to the West is grand in scale, with intricate plots, vivid language, and romanticist techniques, showcasing an extraordinary imagination. It is a treasure of ancient Chinese fiction. The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters: Journey to the West features 240 high-quality illustrations by over 40 renowned painting masters, ranging from bold and rough to simple and elegant. The subjects include humans, gods, demons, monsters, mountains, waters, flowers, insects, birds, and beasts, while the techniques vary from meticulous brushwork to freehand painting. The style is diverse, with techniques such as line drawing, rendering, shading, and ink splashing, vividly depicting the most exciting scenes of the novel. The text and illustrations complement each other, creating a seamless fusion.
Water Margin: Shi Nai'an's novel Water Margin presents extremely vivid life scenes and a rich array of characters. The 108 heroes of the Water Margin have different identities and temperaments, making it a unique gem in ancient Chinese fiction. The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters: Water Margin incorporates 293 illustrations by over 41 renowned painting masters, who use their skillful brushwork to depict lively scenes and characters with profound meaning.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: In the history of Chinese literature, no work has captivated as many readers for as long as Romance of the Three Kingdoms. For centuries, it has been passed down through generations, deeply rooted in the lives of our nation. The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters: Romance of the Three Kingdoms features 292 illustrations by over 35 master painters, each with unique styles and schools. Some employ meticulous brushwork, like threading a needle, while others use freehand techniques, flowing like clouds and water. The illustrations vividly portray the grand wars of the Three Kingdoms era and a multitude of characters, reaching the pinnacle of painting for Romance of the Three Kingdoms and showcasing the unique charm of Chinese painting. Especially notable are famous chapters such as the Oath of the Peach Garden, Fengyi Pavilion, Wine-Drinking Debate on Heroes, Three Visits to Zhuge Liang’s Cottage, Conquering the Scholars, Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats, and Seven Captures of Meng Huo, each brimming with brilliance.
The Four Great Classical Novels Illustrated by Masters is based on the following editions for collation: Romance of the Three Kingdoms uses the Kangxi-era Guanhua Hall edition as the base and the Ming Jiajing-era edition as the reference. Water Margin uses the early Qing Jinchang Ye Yaochi edition as the base and the Ming Wanli-era Rongyu Hall edition as the reference. Journey to the West uses the Ming Jinling Shide Hall edition as the base and references the Ming Shulin Yang Minzhai edition, the Ming Lixiu-era edition, and the Qianlong-era New Interpretation of Journey to the West. Dream of the Red Chamber uses the Qianlong-era Chengwen Yuan Cuiwen Bookstore woodblock edition as the base and the Gengchen-era edition as the reference.