Chinese Flower-and-Bird Painting Poetry and Painting (Hardcover)

Author: Xu Hongbin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-04-01
Features: The Poetry and Painting of Chinese Flower-and-Bird Art is a comprehensive reference book that combines painting techniques, exquisite verses from various dynasties, and artworks. The book is divided into twelve chapters. The first half provides a brief introduction to the history and techniques of flower-and-bird painting, while the second half features poetry inscribed on paintings and the corresponding artworks. Through years of artistic practice, I have deeply felt that Chinese flower-and-bird paintings lack soul without poetic essence. Flower-and-bird paintings should not only depict images but also convey poetry, as poetry is the soul of such art. Without poetry, the painting cannot be thought-provoking. Therefore, flower-and-bird artists must study classical poetry. Inscribing poetry on paintings is a unique tradition of Chinese national art and an integral part of traditional Chinese painting. It is said that inscribed poetry originated from inscriptions on fan paintings during the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties period. It was originally written on the surfaces of folding fans. Cao Xi of the Wei Dynasty in the Three Kingdoms period wrote a poem titled Ink Wash Bamboo and Trees: "Old trees with twisted branches, tall bamboos like phoenix tails, living with bamboo and stones, the secluded and noble." This is considered one of the earliest inscribed poems. After the Song and Yuan dynasties, literati painting flourished, emphasizing the fusion of poetry and painting. Many poets excelled in painting, and many painters were skilled in poetry, leading to the development of inscribed poetry. Eventually, it evolved into the distinctive style of literati painting that combined poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Wang Wei of the Tang Dynasty, Su Shi of the Song Dynasty, and Zhao Mengfu of the Yuan Dynasty were representative figures who excelled in both poetry and painting. In the Qing Dynasty, artists like Li Chen, Jin Nong, Huang Shen, and Zheng Xie, as well as modern artists like Qi Baishi, were masters of poetry, calligraphy, and painting. As painters dedicated to flower-and-bird painting, we must inherit this excellent tradition of combining poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Reading classical poetry to inspire creativity is particularly necessary. For this reason, I have compiled and illustrated The Poetry and Painting of Chinese Flower-and-Bird Art. The poetry section includes various themes such as flowers, birds, insects, fish, vegetables, fruits, and auspicious grasses. The painting section also covers a wide range of subjects, with some artworks accompanied by inscribed verses as examples. The publication of this book can serve as a reference for students in higher education institutions studying Chinese painting. It also holds academic value for beginners and contemporary artists exploring the intersection of poetry and painting. However, it should be noted that art requires innovation. Ancient poetry should not be blindly imitated or simply applied for the sake of appearing cultured.