Lin Liang Lü Ji Painting Collection

Author: Liu Zheng Liu Jianping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-06-01
Features: Lin Liang and Lü Ji were renowned painters in the Ming Dynasty court, both excelling in flower-and-bird painting, often described as shining stars together. Their art holds a significant position in the history of ancient Chinese painting.
Lin Liang was a Ming Dynasty painter, styled Yishan, native to Nanhai (now part of Guangdong Province). He held the position of Jinweiwei Commandant and Zhenfu, serving in the Renzhi Hall. Yishan was renowned for his freehand flower-and-bird paintings. In his early works, he used colored flowers, fruits, and feathers with meticulous and refined techniques. Later, he followed the loose and concise style of the Southern Song Dynasty, shifting to rough brushwork in ink, achieving outstanding success. In terms of technique, his bold and vigorous brushwork combined swift and dynamic movement with stability and precision. He emphasized discipline and rules in the fluctuations of his brushstrokes. Later generations praised his style for its powerful brushwork, likening it to calligraphy. His ink freehand flower-and-bird paintings stood out among the vibrant and skillful court styles of the Southern Song Dynasty, earning great admiration at the time and exerting a significant influence on the flower-and-bird painting style of the mid-Ming Dynasty.
Lü Ji (1447–?), styled Tingzhen, was known as Leyu or Leyu, native to Siming (now Ningbo, Zhejiang Province). During the Hongzhi era of Emperor Xiaozong, he served in the Renzhi Hall and held the position of Jinweiwei Commandant. Initially, he studied under Bian Wenjin. "His depictions of birds like phoenixes, cranes, peacocks, and mandarin ducks were well-structured, with vibrant colors and a lively spirit," making him a meticulous painter who strictly adhered to the rules of the imperial painting academy. Whenever he was commissioned to paint, he always "presented his ideas and followed the regulations." Emperor Xiaozong once praised him, saying, "He excels in mastering the arts to advise," a testament to Lü Ji's dedication. He left behind many works, skilled in both fine-line colored paintings and ink freehand paintings, and often combined the two styles. Additionally, he occasionally painted landscapes and figures. He was one of the most celebrated court painters of the Ming Dynasty, alongside Bian Jingzhao and Lin Liang, renowned for his flower-and-bird paintings.