First Influence Art Treasury -- Retro Painting Sage (Wang Shiguo)

Author: Compiled by the 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 from 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's painting circle. Wang Shigu was born into a family of painters and had an eight-decade 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 from a young age and dedicated his life to art. His techniques were refined, his artistic style broad, his mastery of ancient traditions profound, and he directly learned from nature. However, he was also deeply influenced by the elite literati painters who emphasized painting as a form of entertainment. He valued the expressive power of brushwork and ink, and his works often reflected the themes and moods favored by literati. He belonged to the type of "scholarly artists who excel in all aspects." When it came to 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 adept at drawing inspiration from the "Northern School" than painters who confined themselves to the "Southern School." In terms of artistic expression, he balanced the diverse forms of mountains and rivers with a greater sense of life from real-world scenes. 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 the early phase of his artistic emergence, with the encounter with Wang Jian at the age of twenty marking 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 paintings, and forming a lifelong friendship. Under the mentorship and promotion of Wang Jian and Wang Shimin, Wang Shigu made breakthroughs in two areas. First, he directly copied famous works from the Song and Yuan dynasties, greatly improving his skills in replicating ancient styles. Second, by having the opportunity to view authentic works by various masters, he engaged in introspective thinking that allowed him to break free from the limitations of imitating only one school, instead embarking on a path of learning from the past while integrating and comprehending it. This art book selects and presents Wang Shigu's masterpieces, each accompanied by information such as the work's title, commentary, date, medium, dimensions, artist, collector, and influence index, making it highly valuable. The book features an innovative design and exquisite text. The introductory section, "Getting Closer to Chinese Painting," also provides readers with knowledge about Chinese painting in terms of techniques, appreciation, and collection, as well as guidance on how to use this book.