Drunken Eyes You Meng - Talking and Painting about Opera

Author: Xu Hongquan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: This book consists of traditional Chinese opera character paintings by the renowned Chinese opera painter Gao Madé and appreciative essays by the well-known artist and writer Xu Hongquan. It includes over 80 paintings of traditional Chinese opera characters created by Mr. Gao, with one essay for each illustration. The content covers opera, history, actors, backstage anecdotes, and the art of storytelling through painting. The illustrations offer a vivid and elegant perspective on life through the lens of the stage. It stands as the best illustrated book on traditional Chinese opera in contemporary times. In the 1960s, Mr. Gao became deeply devoted to Chinese opera and depicted opera characters in the form of Chinese painting. His brushwork is concise, unrestrained, and full of life, with a subtle charm that lingers in the viewer's mind. Xu Hongquan's writing is sharp yet sincere, discussing opera, art, and life, revealing genuine personality in every word. It is both solemn and playful, brimming with a captivating spirit. Mr. Wang Zengqi once remarked, "We can call Madé a 'dream painter.'" Life is like a play, and the world of opera is a dream within a dream. Gao Madé and Xu Hongquan can be said to be "dreamers" who intertwine with dreams and gain profound insights. Their longing and reverence for tradition resemble a moving elegy, a sincere tribute to the past, which continues to move us today, allowing us to float and sink with their thoughts.