Jiang Hanting's Spirit Birds in Various Postures

Author: Jiang Hanting
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The scroll "A Hundred Varieties of Spirit Birds" was meticulously painted by Jiang Hanting during his prime years. The scroll, composed of ten sections of fine paper, depicts scenes from the Song, Yuan, Ming, or Qing dynasties—birds bathing in clear streams, flying at night, raising chicks in the forest, or nesting together in snow. When painted in the style of Song Dynasty artists, it is exquisitely detailed and precise, fully embodying the elegance of the Song school. When executed with Ming Dynasty brushwork, it is bold and unrestrained, revealing a natural spontaneity. The entire scroll showcases rich and refined brushwork and color, a testament to Jiang Hanting's dedication to raising, observing, and painting birds. His observations and understanding of various bird species and their behaviors are unparalleled in history. This scroll is an exceptionally fine example of modern Chinese bird-and-flower painting and serves as an excellent model for appreciation and study.
Jiang Hanting (1904–1963), also known as Gengyuan, Shixi, Shangyu, and Hanting, was a professor. Born in Yushan Town, Changshu, Jiangsu Province, he began learning bird-and-flower painting from Tao Songxi at the age of 16 and later taught at the Shanghai Art College. At 28, he started earning a living by selling paintings. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he became a painter at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy. Through extensive study of famous works from the Song and Yuan dynasties, he mastered both meticulous and unrestrained styles. He excelled in both outline-and-color painting and freehand brushwork, particularly in depicting various birds. His home was filled with numerous birds and animals, providing him with subjects for his paintings. His style resembled that of Huayan of the Qing Dynasty, characterized by skilled brushwork, bright colors, lively forms, stable compositions, and a deep understanding of the styles of Xugu and Ren Yi. Occasionally, he imitated their works so skillfully that they were almost indistinguishable, earning him the nickname "Jiang Xugu."
His surviving works include "Dove and Parrot," "White Eagle," and a 20-meter-long scroll titled "A Hundred Birds." In 1960, he was invited by Premier Zhou Enlai to paint a large-scale "Red Plum Blossom" for the Great Hall of the People.
In 1983, Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House published "A Hundred Birds by Jiang Hanting." In 1992, Guwu Press published "Contemporary Master Painter Jiang Hanting," Beijing Rongbaozhai published "Bird-and-Flower Paintings by Master Jiang Hanting," and in 1995, Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House published "A Hundred Flowers by Jiang Hanting."
Jiang Hanting had nearly 100 students, including shop assistants, workers, apprentices, craftsmen, and farmers. He taught without charge and even provided paper and brushes to financially struggling students. In his teaching, he adapted to each student's abilities, guiding them patiently. He could demonstrate his skills by painting famous works from history on the spot.