Landscape Painting in Chinese Art
The evolution of Chinese landscape painting across dynasties reflects the interplay between art, nature, and the socio-political climate. These artists and schools played significant roles in perpetuating the motif of the Confucian scholar in nature, each bringing their unique interpretation and style to the theme, deeply intertwining it with the literati culture and Confucian philosophies of their times.
Tang Dynasty (618–907)
During the late Tang dynasty, as societal order declined, landscape painting emerged as a genre where cultivated men sought solace and permanence in nature, often embodying their philosophical or political convictions.
Song Dynasty (960–1279)
In the early Song dynasty, landscape images symbolized a well-regulated state and became a retreat for scholar-officials facing career adversities. These scholars expressed their identities and virtues through paintings, poetry, and calligraphy, creating monochrome images symbolizing their spirit and character.
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Schools/Artists:
- Northern Song literati such as Su Shi (Su Dongpo) and Mi Fu.
- Southern Song artists like Ma Yuan and Xia Gui.
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Characteristics:
- Emphasis on expressing the artist’s emotions and philosophies.
- Scholars often depicted in lush and detailed landscapes.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)
The Yuan dynasty, marked by Mongol rule and exclusion of many educated Chinese from government, saw estates transformed into cultural retreats, commemorated in paintings that symbolized shared reclusive ideals rather than realistic depictions. A new form, the "mind landscape," emerged, reflecting the artist’s inner spirit and learned references, moving beyond mere representation of the visible world.
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Schools/Artists:
- Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty: Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen (1280-1354), Ni Zan, and Wang Meng.
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Characteristics:
- Paintings became more expressive and individualistic.
- The motif of scholars in nature was used to convey a sense of withdrawal from the political turmoil of the time.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)
The Ming dynasty saw a revival of conservative court art, symbolizing the state as a well-ordered garden, while literati like Shen Zhou and Wen Zhengming pursued self-expression, embodying Ming literati ideals by reinterpreting styles of Yuan scholar-painters.
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Schools/Artists:
- Shen Zhou (1427-1509) and Wen Zhengming (1470-1559) considered founders of the Wu School. Wen Zhengming was the leading amateur-literati painter of the 16th century and together with Shen Zhou two of the principal artists of the Wu school of the scholars-officials. Both of them looked back to the work of the Yuan masters and were preoccupied with the identification of different forms of brushwork as suitably expressive for different occasions. (Rawson J., 1992). Shen Zhou, the quintessential Ming scholar-amateur painter, preferred to live in retirement rather than risk the vicissitudes of government service. He devoted much of his later life to an exploration of the brush style of the fourteenth-century recluse-painter Wu Zhen (1280-1354). Shen's painting epitomizes the scholar-amateur tradition of self-expression; by depicting the interior world of the mind and heart. Shen's most ambitious landscape composition — the scroll is over fifty-six feet (seventeen meters) long - remained incomplete at Shen Zhou's death. In 1546 it was rediscovered by Shen's illustrious pupil Wen Zhengming, who added finishing touches. Wen's inscription recounts: "The composition was already fully realized, but the dotting and washing had not been completed. I, his student, have now finished it.
- Dong Qichang, who influenced the later Orthodox School.
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Characteristics:
- Continuation of the literati tradition with a revival of earlier styles.
- Scholars in paintings often reflected a sense of nostalgia and historical reflection.
Some important artists and their groups during Yuan and Ming dynasty:
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Huang Gongwang (Yuan Dynasty): A part of the Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty, known for his landscape paintings that often included scholars in natural settings.
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Wen Zhengming (Ming Dynasty): Associated with the Wu School, his paintings often depict scholars in gardens, embodying the literati ideals.
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Dong Qichang (Ming Dynasty): His influence led to the formation of the Orthodox School, and his works often included the motif of scholars in landscapes, reflecting Confucian ideals.
Qing Dynasty (1644–1912)
During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), various schools of art and prominent artists emerged, each contributing uniquely to the landscape of Chinese art. In the early Qing dynasty, images of reclusion symbolized political resistance, with artists drawing inspiration from local natural beauty due to limited access to historical masterpieces. The Qing Dynasty was a vibrant period in Chinese art history, marked by various schools and artists each bringing their unique styles and perspectives, ranging from strict adherence to traditional rules to the embrace of individual expression and Western influences. These diverse artistic paths enriched the cultural and artistic landscape of China during this period. Here are some notable schools, artists, and their characteristics:
1. Orthodox School
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Characteristics:
- Upheld the literati tradition of painting.
- Emphasized the importance of following the "ancient rules" and the styles of the old masters.
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Artists:
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Four Wangs: Wang Shimin, Wang Jian, Wang Hui, and Wang Yuanqi. They were crucial figures who upheld the orthodox tradition.
2. Individualist Painters
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Characteristics:
- Valued personal expression and individuality in their art.
- Often distanced themselves from orthodox conventions.
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Artists:
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Shitao (Zhu Ruoji): Renowned for his innovative and personal styles.
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Bada Shanren (Zhu Da): Known for his unique and expressive brushwork.
3. Yangzhou School
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Characteristics:
- Flourished in the prosperous city of Yangzhou.
- Artists often catered to the tastes of wealthy merchants and collectors.
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Artists:
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Jin Nong: Famous for his calligraphy and unconventional painting style.
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Li Shan: Known for his bird-and-flower paintings.
4. Shanghai School
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Characteristics:
- Emerged in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai.
- Merged traditional Chinese aesthetics with Western influences.
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Artists:
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Ren Xiong and Ren Yi (Ren Bonian): Played significant roles in shaping the school's artistic style.
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Wu Changshuo: Renowned for his innovative flower-and-bird paintings.
5. Lingnan School
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Characteristics:
- Originated in the Guangdong province.
- Sought to modernize Chinese painting by incorporating Western techniques and perspectives.
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Artists:
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Gao Jianfu, Gao Qifeng, and Chen Shuren: Key figures who pioneered the Lingnan style.
In conclusion, Chinese landscape paintings are not just depictions of the external world but are cultivated expressions of the artists' minds and hearts, reflecting their individual journeys and the broader cultural and political landscapes of their times.
See also: The 'Wu School' of Chinese Painting
