Appreciation of Historical Figures Painting Series. Liu Guohui

Author: Liu Guohui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: A series of appreciations of the portraits and figures by Liu Guohui, a contemporary Chinese master painter. The series includes 21 of his portraits and figures, for everyone to admire. It is reported that the late Ming painter Zhang Chou acquired the "Spring Night Secret Love Painting" by Zhou Fang (Jingxuan) from the collection of Zhao Mengfu (Oubo Pavilion). During the Yuan Dynasty, Zhao Mengfu, and during the Ming Dynasty, Tang Yin and Qiu Ying were all skilled in painting "spring paintings," meaning they had created nudes. "A Jiangnan painter led the way in improving the quality of paintings of naked women. This was Tang Yin. He obviously convinced some of his mistresses to pose for him, which is why he could paint large-scale nudes so vividly, demonstrating his keen observation skills." "A few years later, the famous painter Qiu Ying followed suit, not only painting clothed lovers but also nudes." "Before the late Ming Dynasty, nudes were always very primitive. Only in ivory carving did artists achieve a relatively skilled level in depicting female nudes. Medical ivory figures show a clear understanding of female anatomy." These studies by the Dutchman G. P. Hoope are undoubtedly valuable for comprehensively grasping the development of Chinese figurative painting. On one hand, the rigid moral teachings restricted the body, and even doctors had to avoid depicting nudes, resorting to ivory figures. On the other hand, the great masters of the time could not create outstanding works of figurative art like their Western counterparts, but instead used their skills in the "spring palace paintings" that circulated in the market. History presents a strange scene. History has indeed moved forward. Today, figurative art has never had a better environment, and the topic has sparked the interest of many artists. In recent years, a large number of outstanding works of figurative art have emerged across various artistic fields. Dedicated exhibitions, specialized research works, and specialized educational programs have all contributed to significant progress in Chinese figurative art, gradually moving it toward maturity. How to seize the opportunity and ensure this artistic flower thrives, creating figurative art with a distinct Chinese aesthetic, has now been placed before Chinese artists.