Archive for category Painting
Four Gentlemen in the World of Flowers
In ancient China, a gentleman referred to a man of great virtue. In the world of flowers, plum blossom, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemum are known as the Four Gentlemen, also called the four Noble Ones or Four Friends. It was believed that their natural characters had something in common with human virtues. Therefore, they have always been featured in ancient paintings and works to express the virtues of loftiness, righteousness, modesty and purity.
As early as the Song Dynasty (960–1279), they were used in the Chinese painting. Later, they were also adopted by the artists in Japan, Korea, etc. As they bloom in different seasons (the plum blossom blooms in spring, the orchid in summer, the chrysanthemum in autumn, and the bamboo in winter), they are also used to depict the unfolding of the seasons through the year.
Silk Painting
Silk painting is an ancient art form in China. It originated in the Warring States Period (476-221 BC) and reached its artistic peak in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD25).
Over a long period, plain silk, together with bamboo and wood slips were the material for writing or painting on. Compared with others, silk has its own advantages, such as light, easily to be cut in desired shapes and sizes, convenient to be kept and carried, etc. However, due to its high cost, it was only popular among the noble status.
The earliest extant silk painting is Lady, Dragon and Phoenix Painting, which was unearthed in Changsha city, Hunan Province. It was used at funerals to lead the dead to heaven. Among all the remaining paintings, the most representative one is the silk painting unearthed in the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tomb in Changsha City. The painting contains three parts: the Heaven, World and Hell.
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