Complete Collection of Chinese Painting - Ming 3

Author: Ancient Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Appraisal Group
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-06-01
Features: This volume includes works by thirty-one painters and ninety-six pieces, primarily featuring the works of "Academy Style" and "Zhejiang School" painters. Among them, the works of Wu Wei and Lü Ji stand out, with Wu excelling in landscape and figure painting, and Lü in richly colored flower-and-bird paintings. Wu Wei is renowned for his concise yet rigorous portrayal of objects, creating a striking and dynamic atmosphere with brushwork reminiscent of cursive calligraphy. His style reflects the aesthetic tastes of the urban merchant class, thus pioneering a distinct "Jiangxia School" separate from the "Academy Style" and "Zhejiang School." Lü Ji's works, characterized by meticulous brushwork, vibrant colors, elegant style, and luxurious tone, were favored by the imperial court. Even centuries later, they retain their universal aesthetic appeal. Other painters like Guo Xu, Zhang Lu, Wang Zhao, and Jiang Song, though not court painters, were deeply influenced by the "Academy Style" and "Zhejiang School," yet their styles lean more toward unrestrained and wild expression, forming a stark contrast to the refined and elegant literati painting. As a court painter, Zhu Duan, by studying the weaker Northern Song painter Guo Xi alongside Li Zhi of the preceding generation, incorporated some Northern Song artistic elements into his "Academy Style" works, making him a key figure among mid-Ming Dynasty "Academy Style" painters.