Research on Northern School Landscape Painting Theory

Author: Zhang Tongbiao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: This book primarily explores the significant value of Northern School landscape painting theory in the history of painting aesthetics and its relationship with creation. Theory and painting can mutually influence each other; starting from the history of painting, one can uncover the intrinsic messages of painting theory, and starting from painting theory, one can deepen the understanding and grasp of works. Northern School landscape painters placed great emphasis on composition and structure, leaving behind famous technical treatises such as The Art of Ink and Water in Landscape Painting, Establishing the Main and Sub Elements in Landscape Painting, and The Intent Precedes the Brush in Landscape Painting. The old theories were often chaotic, but in reality, they belong to the same family as Han Zhuo's Comprehensive Collection of Landscape Painting. This book strives to comprehensively clarify this chaos. The significance of painting treatises lies in conveying the artistic beauty of their own rules and methods. In painting, aesthetic thought determines the level of a work's quality, while composition and arrangement, like brushwork, possess a certain degree of independence. On one hand, they convey the sentiments and inner spirit of Northern School painters, and on the other hand, they enhance the grandeur and noble Yang-style beauty. This book focuses on exploring the significant value of Northern School landscape painting theory in the history of painting and its relationship with creation. Theory and painting can mutually influence each other; starting from the history of painting, one can uncover the intrinsic messages of painting theory, and starting from painting theory, one can deepen the understanding and grasp of works. The final chapter of this book, From Real Realm to Poetic Realm, synthesizes the basic theories of Song Dynasty landscape painting, taking the "real realm" theory as the main thread that connects the Northern School landscape system, and combines poetry, calligraphy, and painting to argue the case. It offers a broad perspective, providing new insights for interpreting the history of Chinese art. The author has long been dedicated to researching ancient inscriptions and paintings, and this book is one of the results of his studies on Central Plains painting and landscape painting theory.