"Wild Chives"

Author: Wang Jiafang / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-01
Features: The Plucking of Vetch depicts Bo Yi and Shu Qi, noble figures of the Yin-Shang dynasty, who refused to surrender to the Zhou dynasty after the fall of their own. Out of shame for eating grain grown on Zhou territory, they retreated to Shouyang Mountain and survived by foraging for wild vegetables. Ultimately, they both starved to death. In the painting, Bo Yi and Shu Qi sit facing each other beneath a stone cliff, surrounded by ancient trees. Their small hoe and bamboo basket for gathering wild vegetables are placed on the ground. In the center, Bo Yi sits with his hands clasped around his knees, his face filled with sorrow and indignation as he listens quietly to Shu Qi on his left. The two men have disheveled hair and gaunt faces, their eyes resolute. Their expressions and postures are rendered with accuracy and vitality. Bo Yi’s gaunt face, in particular, reveals an unwavering spirit—his tightly furrowed brows convey the strength and resilience of the character in the harsh living environment. The brushwork for the clothing folds is bold and vigorous, aiding in expressing the characters’ personalities and inner emotions. The artist’s technique is concise yet varied. The clothing folds are executed with broken strokes, later referred to as “broken reed” technique, which is simple, crisp, and dynamic. The brushwork for the trees and rocks is rough yet refined, with moist ink tones, already opening the door to the styles of Ma Wan and Xia Quan. >>