When Zhang Daqian was copying, he often peeled off the later murals on the surface to explore the early murals hidden inside, thus destroying the Dunhuang murals. Maybe he wanted to see more ancient art for himself, or maybe he wanted to prevent the painters who went to Dunhuang to copy from after him to appreciate these treasures. This approach was not only selfish, but also caused the Dunhuang murals to suffer an unparalleled disaster.
In the 1940s, someone exposed Zhang Daqian's destruction of Dunhuang murals in a Gansu newspaper, but no attention was paid to it. Therefore, his evaluation cannot be separated from the specific environment of the times. On the inner wall of this world-famous cave, Zhang Daqian actually wrote an inscription with a brush. This kind of indifference and self-centered attitude towards China's national treasure is astonishing.
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Characteristics of Zhang Daqian’s works:
Zhang Daqian is an all-round painter whose creations “embrace the strengths of both the northern and southern sects” , integrating literati paintings, writer paintings, court paintings and folk art. In Chinese paintings of figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, fish and insects, and animals, the meticulous brushwork is omnipotent and perfect. The poems are sincere and bold, the calligraphy is vigorous and elegant, soft on the outside and strong on the inside, with unique style.
Among the Chinese painters of the 20th century, Zhang Daqian is undoubtedly one of the best, with a clear and elegant artistic conception. "He is talented and knowledgeable. He is good at landscapes, figures, flowers, ladies, and feathers. He especially made special contributions in landscape painting.
People's Daily Online - Is it true that Zhang Daqian destroyed Dunhuang murals? ?