Retro painting sage

Author: Editorial Committee of "The Art Treasury of First Influence"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Wang Shigu (1632-1717), styled Shigu, also known as Qinghui Master, etc. He was a native of Yushan, Jiangsu (now Changshu). He pioneered the Yushan School and, together with Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, and Wang Yuanqi, was known as the "Four Wangs" of the Qing Dynasty painting scene. Wang Shigu was born into a family of painters and had an eight-decade-long career in art. His authentic works alone are over 200 pieces, housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Shanghai Museum. Wang Shigu was a professional painter who dedicated his life to art. His techniques were refined, his artistic style broad, his mastery of classical traditions profound, and he directly learned from nature. However, he was also deeply influenced by the elite literati painters who emphasized "painting for pleasure." He valued the expressive power of brushwork and ink and adhered to the artistic sentiments favored by literati, belonging to the type of "scholarly artists who possess all qualities." In terms of copying ancient masterpieces, he surpassed the literati painters who relied on sudden enlightenment in achieving both form and spirit. In embracing tradition, he was more suited to learning from the "Northern School" than painters confined to the "Southern School." In terms of artistic expression, he paid equal attention to the diversity of landscapes and added a touch of real-life vitality to his works. Thus, he was revered as the "Sage of Painting" and, as one of the most representative painters of the Qing Dynasty, his reputation has endured for two centuries. Wang Shigu's artistic career can be divided into three phases. From his early years in painting to the age of forty was his formative period, during which meeting Wang Jian at the age of twenty was a significant turning point. At twenty, Wang Shigu was discovered by Wang Jian and became his disciple, subsequently meeting Wang Shimin, a renowned collector of art, and forming a lifelong friendship. Under the mentorship and strong support of Wang Jian and Wang Shimin, Wang Shigu made breakthroughs in two areas. First, he directly copied the masterpieces of the Song and Yuan dynasties, greatly improving his skill in classical imitation. Second, by studying the authentic works of various masters, he engaged in introspective research, breaking free from the limitations of imitating only one school or style and instead pursuing a path of learning from the past while integrating and comprehending it. This art book features selected works of Wang Shigu, each accompanied by information such as the title, appreciation, date, material, dimensions, painting technique, collector, and influence index, making it highly valuable. The book is beautifully designed and printed, with the introductory section "Getting Closer to Chinese Painting" offering readers knowledge about Chinese painting in terms of techniques, appreciation, and collection, as well as guidance on using the book.