Qibai Shi. Landscape and figures

Author: Qi Baishi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: The characteristics of Qi Baishi's landscape paintings: They rarely carry symbolic meanings, emphasizing a simple and rustic style and a sense of life; They focus not only on the intrinsic charm of brushwork but also on the lively expression of life; They do not overly emphasize detailed depiction or rich layers, but rather stress conciseness, openness, and the spirit of freehand painting; They do not particularly value subtle and implicit language, but rather emphasize straightforwardness and vigor. From the perspective of inheritance, his landscapes differ from Dong Qichang and the "Four Wangs," who emphasized tranquility, elegance, subtlety, and remoteness, focusing instead on the charm of brushwork. They are relatively closer to Shi Tao and Jin Dongxin, who emphasized life perception and relatively sparse yet vigorous styles, but they appear very different in form. Qi Baishi could paint rather realistic portraits, but most of his later freehand paintings of figures were somewhat less concerned with resemblance. These can be divided into two categories: One has slightly more brushwork, with finer depictions of facial features and postures, and more meticulous coloring, such as Zheng Family Maid (1930) and Zhong Kui Scratching His Back (1936); the other is purely reduced freehand painting, with concise yet uncareless imagery, such as Da Diezi Painting and others. Qi Baishi's paintings do not seek to deeply depict the surface and psychology of the subject, merely aiming for expression. This is both a characteristic and a limitation—features and limitations of freehand painting. His freehand style also differs from the simple and casual ink plays of literati. Many of the images he created were not only inspired by predecessors but also derived from life observations and uniquely individual imagination. In terms of brushwork and style, Qi Baishi's brushwork is perceived as condensed, experienced, spontaneous, and unconstrained by rigid rules. His clothing lines are clumsy and bold, sometimes resembling gnarled branches or winding rocks, with more vigor than subtlety.