Wu Huafen

Author: Wu Huafen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: The painter, grounded in the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, connected to the wondrous imagination of the human heart. The painter stands between heaven and earth, surrounded by all phenomena. With a fusion of thought and interest, suddenly and decisively, they wield the brush directly to pursue what they see, hear, and feel. With a resounding cry, they create works in myriad forms, thus achieving excellence. Our country's painting has a long history, dating back to Gu Kaizhi in the Jin Dynasty. For over a thousand and several hundred years, numerous schools have emerged, with outstanding masters in each generation. From the north to the south, talented craftsmen have emerged, each with distinct styles, forming their own unique traditions. The vast Yangtze River and the majestic Kunlun Mountains are not enough to describe their lofty and profound art. Later generations, wishing to learn about its details and marvels, find it difficult. I was born unable to paint but by observing the works of masters from ancient and modern times, along with the inevitable changes of each era, I came to understand that one must first learn the rules before one can transcend them. The ancients said that this art can fully express one's aspirations—was it truly so? Reading through the masterpieces of past generations, I realize that their methods are like reflections in a mirror, water ripples, and moonlight—apparent yet elusive; while their lack of method is like the boundless blue sky and clear water, vast and endless. Our society gathers works from ancient and modern times, selecting the finest from each era, describing their lives, artistic theories, technical characteristics, and their legacy. This allows readers to see a glimpse of the whole by observing a part, to understand an era's painting by knowing a single painter, and to read collections of dozens of famous painters to grasp the of our country's thousands of years of painting civilization. Due to the passage of time and frequent wars, countless famous paintings have been lost or damaged. There are masters whose paintings no longer exist, paintings that survive but are few in number, and painters who were famous but whose lives and deeds are not recorded. As a result, few illustrations and texts remain, making comprehensive introductions impossible. Thus, we have compiled this collection of several individuals, which is better than having nothing at all. In the past, Ouyang Xun compiled "The Art and Literature Collection" and said, "I wish to make every family rich in pearls and every person treasure jade, so that the predecessors' collections can each express their own ideas." This collection embodies that very idea. This book includes over 150 precious artworks by Wu Huafen, as well as the author's research on Wu Huafen's artistic style, value, significance, and calligraphy and painting authentication. It also features excerpts from Wu Huafen's own writings on art, quotes from various reviews, and a concise chronology of Wu Huafen's life.