The theory of six laws was first put forward in the Catalogue of Ancient Paintings. Catalogue of Ancient Paintings, also known as ancient and modern paintings or paintings, is a painting theory written by Xie He, an art theorist in the Southern Dynasties. The book was written in 532 ~ 549, with editions such as Jin Duo, Preaching, Learning from the Hundred Rivers, Calligraphy and Painting, and Art Series. Sheikh put forward the purpose of painting for the first time in the Catalogue of Ancient Paintings: "Be clear and admonish it, be young and sink it, be lonely for thousands of years, and draw and learn from it." This is to point out the effect of receiving education through real description. The emergence of this theoretical understanding is the performance of the progress of painting theory. This book reviews the works of 27 famous painters from the Three Kingdoms Wu to 300 years. According to their artistic attainments, the author divides them into six categories: the first category is Lu Tanwei, Cao Buxing, Wei Xie, Zhang Mo and Xun Xu; The second products are Gu Junzhi, Lu Sui and Qian Yuan; The third-place products are Yao Tandu, Gu Kaizhi, Mao Huiyuan, Xia Zhan, Dai Kui, Jiang Sengbao, Wu Kampuchea, Zhang Ze and Gao Lu; The fourth product is Yan, Gu Baoguang, Shi Daoshuo; The fifth product is Liu Yong, Jin Mingdi and Liu Shaozu; The sixth products are Zong Bing and Ding Guang. Of course, these are the judgments made by the author using his personal theory and his own aesthetic standards. Whether his judgment is correct or not, a series of methods and theories put forward in his book are still worth learning by future generations.
Most importantly, he put forward the "six laws" in his book. Vivid charm, incisive brushwork, pictographic objects, color by category, business position, vivid expression and modeling are the criteria for the creation and evaluation of figure painting. He pointed out the mode of painting criticism, which became the standard for later generations to discuss painting and appreciation.
The word "six methods" was later extended to be synonymous with Chinese painting, or the floorboard of theory and techniques. "Six Methods" is the practical experience of China's ancient painting, which is summarized and improved as a theoretical achievement, reflecting a complete understanding of the development of painting art to a certain stage. This understanding not only affirms the necessity of modeling by object, but also puts forward the importance of understanding the inner essence of object. He also pointed out that pen and ink is an important means to express objects.
Catalogue of Ancient Paintings is an important milestone in the art history of China. The theory of six laws put forward in the book is the norm and important aesthetic principle of ancient Chinese works of art, which has always been followed by painters and connoisseurs and has great theoretical significance and practical value.