Ming Dynasty Style Hundred Beauties Picture

Author: Ding Song
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Ding Song (1891-1972), styled Muqin, was from Fengjing. He was a renowned painter, the central figure and organizer in the Shanghai cartoon and monthly calendar painting circles during the 1920s and 1930s of the Republic of China era. This book is the second collection of "One Hundred Beauties" drawn by the author. The collection is now preserved as a rare masterpiece in the home of Mr. Xi Cong, the son of Ding Song and a contemporary famous cartoonist. This work breaks the traditional limitation of depicting only noblewomen and beauties in ancient "One Hundred Beauties" collections, expanding the subject matter to cover all aspects of real life—from lady and Misses to village girls and maids. Through a series of vivid and exquisite ink line drawings, it authentically portrays the lives of women from all social strata in Shanghai during the Republic of China era, serving as a valuable resource for studying the urban life of Shanghai at that time.
In his youth, Ding Song worked as an apprentice in the Changtai pawn shop in Shanghai's old North Gate and attended a specialized art school in his spare time, studying under Zhou Xiang. He focused on Western painting and sketching while also practicing traditional Chinese painting. Later, he taught life drawing at the Shanghai Art School and was hired by the advertising department of the Shanghai company to create cigarette posters. His long life in Shanghai laid a solid foundation for this "One Hundred Beauties" collection in terms of both life experience and artistic accumulation.
The works in this book not only showcase the author's profound expertise in Western painting but also demonstrate his mastery of traditional Chinese ink line drawing. Blending both Western and Eastern techniques, the pieces remain an extremely valuable artistic treasure even by today's artistic standards. The republication of this book will be an invaluable artistic gem, whether for studying the Shanghai society of the Republic of China era or for researching traditional ink line painting.