Literati and Painters (Painters in History and Fiction)

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: This book examines the social identity of ancient Chinese painters. To some extent, it can also be seen as a study of the value of ancient Chinese painting, namely, studying why Chinese painters painted, how society viewed them, and how they themselves viewed the art of painting. Through the interpretation of concepts such as "painting," "art," and "painter," the analysis of records of painters in official histories and novels, as well as research on painting appraisals, painting histories, painting theories, and amateur painters (i.e., literati painters), the book concludes that Chinese painting, in its development process, has shown differences from Western painting in many aspects due to the involvement of literati, or scholars-officials. This includes aesthetic concepts, taste standards, formal styles, and even the way history was written. Naturally, the cultural identity and social status of Chinese painters also differ from those of Western painters.