Discussing and Appreciating Paintings with Lu Xun

Author: Yang Liang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Since his youth, Lu Xun had been dedicated to introducing advanced world culture. He not only translated a large number of foreign novels and literary theories but also introduced numerous works by foreign painters. Through his friends in Japan, the Soviet Union, and Europe, he acquired a vast collection of original artworks and art books. He obtained foreign artworks through various means and organized exhibitions and lectures in China, making significant contributions to improving the artistic appreciation level of young Chinese. How extensive and rich Lu Xun's world of art truly was—beyond a few Lu Xun experts and modern art historians—general lovers of Lu Xun's works and the general public probably couldn't give a clear answer. Forgive my limited knowledge, and it seems that in recent years, I haven't seen any publications on this topic. Now, thanks to the publication by Yue Lu Book Society, edited by scholar Yang Liang and poet Peng Guoliang, Discussing and Appreciating Art with Lu Xun, is a comprehensive and well-organized work that presents to the general readers the vast field of art Lu Xun engaged with throughout his life. In other words, this book perfectly fulfills the editors' wish to closely connect "Lu Xun," "art," and "the general public." Discussing and Appreciating Art with Lu Xun is divided into two volumes: "China" and "Foreign." The "China" volume is divided into three parts: Upper, Middle, and Lower. It presents Lu Xun's writings, collections, and other works related to ancient, modern, and contemporary Chinese art. The Upper Part follows the timeline of art history, covering nine units: ancient paintings, Han stone reliefs, Sui and Tang terracotta figurines, Tang paintings, Dunhuang wooden-carved Buddha statues, Song imperial court paintings, Yuan landscape paintings, Ming novel illustrations, and folk New Year paintings. The Middle Part follows the timeline of artworks, ranging from The Admonitions of the Palace Ladies and The Sixteen Arhats to Tang Style Paintings and Beiping Woodblock Prints and Engravings. The Lower Part follows the timeline of painters, from Shi Ke of the Five Dynasties and early Song dynasty to modern painters such as Lin Shu, Chen Shizeng, Qi Baishi, Tao Yuqing, Liu Haisu, and Xu Beihong. From just this table of contents, it is not difficult to feel the breadth of Lu Xun's interests. Many obscure items, such as Han stone reliefs, folk New Year paintings, serial illustrations, novel illustrations, and modern woodblock prints, are the results of his frugal living, dedicated search, and meticulous collection and organization. The "Foreign" volume follows the timeline of art figures (painters), covering the works of over 60 painters from the Middle Ages to modern times in both Eastern and Western cultures. Among them are well-known masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Millet, Gauguin, Rodin, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Goya, and Repin. However, more are from the underprivileged or marginalized ethnic groups and countries, though little-known, who possess a strong spirit of resistance and a pursuit of democracy and freedom. These include Belgian printmaker Frans Masereel, German printmaker K?the Kollwitz, and some Polish and Soviet painters. Moreover, many painters came to China for the first time through Lu Xun's introduction and promotion. In the 1920s and 1930s, Lu Xun dedicated himself to introducing and promoting the works of these painters. On one hand, this was to advance modern Chinese painting, particularly the art of woodblock printmaking. On the other hand, it was even more important to "steal fire" and "spread fire"—using the great spirit of resistance and revolutionary ideas of Europe's marginalized nations to inspire and encourage the oppressed people in China's dark era to rise up in struggle. In this sense, back then, when Shi Zhecun said in an article that Lu Xun "played with woodcuts" and printed Kolofon Woodblock Prints for some rare "private limited edition," it was indeed a profound misunderstanding of Lu Xun.