Reading the paintings of painters of past dynasties, we can feel the beauty of their implication, the traditional spirit of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and of course the unique personality of painters. Come to think of it, those brilliant master painters, either upright and upright, or unconstrained style, are really colorful to explore the source of his personality, I think it should be from Zhuangzi's "Happy Wandering" at the earliest. What he emphasized and admired was absolute freedom and selflessness. During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Confucianism and Taoism complemented each other, and literati advocated romance or grace. It became fashionable for literati to gather in the mountains to recite poems and paint, which was a highlight in the history of the evolution of literati temperament. With the spread of Zen to the east, it was gradually infiltrated, and in the Song Dynasty, it promoted the trend of minimalism. Literati painting, especially landscape painting, tends to be exquisite, and the painter's aesthetic or taste is undoubtedly more diverse and personalized. In the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, literati painting reached perfection and reached its peak, with various schools and different painters' personalities, as evidenced by the Eight Eccentrics in Yangzhou.
There is a phenomenon, which is actually not surprising, that is, before the troubled times or the change of dynasties, there were more literati, scholars and hermits, the literary and art circles and painting circles were more active, and literary works flourished. There is a simple reason. At this time, politics was out of control, different nationalities and soldiers were constantly fighting, and social order was chaotic. As rulers and leaders, people are more martial and powerful, so they reject and suppress literati (or former literati). Scholars are powerless to resist, but obedience is contrary to their hearts. So Zen became its spiritual orientation, and seclusion in the mountains became a means to stay away from the whirlpool and strive to protect themselves. Moreover, counting the literati of past dynasties, especially those who are like the sun, the moon and the stars, either have the nature of * * *, or they are mixed in the officialdom and are constantly being demoted; Or simply live in seclusion, and the king invited him not to go out of the mountain. Some people, even out of the mountain, are cautious and strictly follow the road hidden in the city. Literati are so smelly that they are unwilling to compromise and be soft. As for literati painting, it is in this context that it has come all the way down. Of course, the landscape is particularly mainstream. For the above reasons, most literati wander between mountains and rivers and indulge in meditation. Wang Wei, Dong Yuan, Ju Ran, Ni Yunlin, Shen Zhou, Shi Tao and the Eighth National Congress, these shining superstars, are all the same. Of course, there are also strange things in the institute of flowers and birds. For example, at the Eighth National Congress, a bird and a fish can cross the world. Another example is Kai Liang, who is called "Liang Madman". There are only a few pens, two paintings, two monks, one with bare breasts and one with a squat. There are not many paintings, so there are only two, which is enough for the legendary swordsman.
It must be said that several important characteristics of literati painters are outstanding-madness, madness and pedantry.
Some people are external, and there are many examples. Reading Chen Chuanxi's History of Landscape Paintings in China, I suddenly found that the school of "Madness School" actually has a clear context. For example, Zhang Yun, known as the founder of finger painting in the Tang Dynasty, painted his palm like a crack, which means that he dipped his palm in ink and smeared it on silk. After painting, he "threw a pen and looked around." Needless to say, that kind of madness Later, Wang Mo was an alcoholic. When painting, you move your hands when you are happy, just like the current performance art, and some of them can be called "addiction" and "strange disease" because of "infatuation". Ni Zan, for example, his cleanliness is at its peak! Never before, never after. There is also the story of Mi Fei burning incense and worshiping stones, which is also well known all over the world, hence the name "Mi Dian". Of course, there is Zheng Sixiao who specializes in painting "soilless orchids". Of course, more madness is internal and spiritual. Just like the eyes of birds and fish in the eight paintings, they are much whiter and less black, which is simply a cynical attitude that I despise you. This is almost the nature of real literati in ancient and modern times. If you study it carefully, you will find that whether in the field of literature or painting and calligraphy, literati or painters appreciate this madness equally. Because creation is a matter of the soul, reaching the highest realm of life, and it must be informal and not rigidly adhere to the customs, so this is called free and easy, refined and supreme realm. It's not that I'm crazy, but that I'm forced to do nothing. Outside the secular force, inside the inspiration force, there is no way, only madness, only pathology.
But since ancient times, real masters, real masters of art, and artists who have really created masterpieces handed down from generation to generation have been regarded as normal and anecdotes. Even a trip to a prostitute or something, that's all. Just romantic. Even later literary critics crowned it as "morbid beauty".
Of course, there are also beautiful examples. As for the orientation of literati or painter, most people think that it is perfect to have these basic elements: personality, knowledge, talent and thought. Some people put character first, while others emphasize learning. In short, character is very important and has been mentioned many times. But there is always a person whose works are far from his character, even seriously out of touch, just like "a saint by day, an animal by night". A typical example is Dong Qichang. On calligraphy and painting, there is no doubt that a generation of masters. But in life, this person is really likable. Before middle age, I barely got by. After middle age, people are called a decadent and shameless person. Just say one thing, this person is keen on sex, and his whole body is hot and out of control, so Lu Yu's tenant daughter caught him. It's all sung by storytellers. Some people even posted the accusation that "if you want to be strong, kill Dong Qichang first" all over the street. There is no such thing as character. Therefore, the hat of "morbid beauty" can't be worn on his head anyway.
The reason why literati painting is enduring is closely related to the painter's wide knowledge and high ideological connotation. Not only literati paintings, but also classics of all art categories. Chinese painting pays attention to meaning and breath, which is exactly the case. When you look at the painting, what you can't say but really touches you is this. What is really labeled, with strong identification and exclusiveness, is knowledge and thought. Profound knowledge and refined thinking determine the classicality of the works. In that case, what's wrong with being sick?
My heart is in the wild
Painters of the opposition painting school have existed since ancient times, but I don't think the history of being named the opposition is long. Because from ancient times to the present, there is really no clear boundary between the existence and non-existence of painters. On a large scale, it is different from the academic school. Of course, a detailed analysis shows that its style is more unique in temperament and feelings. Moreover, the blending of the opposition and the literati painting school should be closer. Because of the literati and painters of past dynasties, countless people opposed it. For example, Ni Zan, Shen Zhou, Four Monks and Eight Monsters all belong to this category.
I prefer the paintings of opposition painters.
First of all, all the literati and scholars who are in opposition in history can be regarded as maverick in spirit, and they can be unique, magnificent and immortal. This is crucial. People value spiritual freedom, so-called living freely and happily, of course, is also "difficult to be confused." Don't bend over for the strong, don't be bound by the world. The wind and rain are also free and unfettered, accompanied by the bright moon and the breeze. What a It's a Wonderful Life! There are really few people who can reach this level. On the other hand, the reciprocal relationship between his personality, talent, thoughts and works is clear at a glance. Looking at this painting for a long time, the image of its author appears on the screen as soon as you punch a hole. Needless to say, those marks are obvious. Looking at the lonely trees and thatched pavilions, I naturally think of Ni Yunlin. Looking at the fish, birds and deer formed only by pen and ink, I immediately thought of the eight "laughing and crying". And these works can strongly and clearly feel their own voice-over. In other words, it is original and independent.
Together with,, and Tao, they are called the four modern opposition painters. Thanks to Mr. Chen Chuanxi, this statement was formally put forward by him in the history of modern painting in China. In addition, Xu Shengweng and Xiong Jing have been mentioned in recent years.
These people are called the opposition because they are really indifferent to fame and fortune, "self-indulgent, quiet" and really "hidden in the city." They were either unknown before their death, or they were not known until their later years. Huang Qiuyuan is a bank clerk and a member of the Literature and History Museum. Tao He has taught books for most of his life and taught a girls' middle school. Chen Zizhuang is relatively complicated. His life is a legendary book. He practiced martial arts in his early years and liked to make friends with heroes. Later, he became interested in calligraphy and painting. He once met Huang and Qi Baishi, but the real achievement was that he saved Zhang Lan. Therefore, it also annoyed Chiang Kai-shek and was involved in the political whirlpool. It was not until later when he became a librarian in the Literature and History Research Institute that he bravely retired, thinking that he was lonely and became a generation. Huang Qiuyuan is a typical Yin Da. The old gentleman had never held an art exhibition before his death. After his death, it is said that his son sent many of his paintings, paving the way for his exhibition. However, as soon as the exhibition opened, Mr. Li Keran lamented: "It is a shame to own Yan Hui without knowing it." This sentence is really more powerful than a bunch of calligraphy and painting comments. "Autumn Yuan Tuan" surfaced at this point, causing a sensation in the painting world. It also ironically confirms the sentence-"Gold always shines." As for Tao, the difference is that he is almost completely self-taught, while Tao is a well-trained person. Because the latter studied art school, he studied under Huang, Pan Tianshou and others. Look at the four people again. Most of their life scenes are in a corner-one in Sichuan, two in Jiangxi and one in Shandong, all far from the center, quiet and lonely, so this is in the wild, which is in place.
Of course, what I really want to say is the focus of the wild, or the wild of his works.
Speaking of the love of painting, it is really a personal preference. Have different views on the same painting. Everyone applauded, but it was suspicious. Not to mention those like Huang, when the Heishan water came out, there was a mutiny. Therefore, it also provoked the old gentleman's "prediction": "Fifty years later, someone will understand." Fifty years later, it was overwhelmingly praised. My personal favorite calligraphers are Mi Fei and Su Zizhan, so I am a Rainbow duo. Let me see, this belongs to the tough and free-spirited school. As for the two kings, there was nothing they could do about it for a while, and it felt like they were wringing their hands. As for painting, the landscape school especially likes Huang, Ni Zan, Shen Zhou and Shi Tao. The nearest Huang, Hua niao and Ba Da are of course Xu Wei and Qi Baishi. Although the history of reading paintings is not deep, and the origins of various dynasties are not so clear, you can know the paintings of taste at a glance.
Among the four opposing gentlemen, I like Huang Qiuyuan and Chen Zizhuang best. His works are complex and simple, a landscape and a flower and bird, each with its own interests. At first glance, the terrain of Huang Qiuyuan is puzzling. "There is no sky above, and there is no land below." Look carefully, those rocks and trees are so beautiful that they are forced by the ancient meaning. In particular, the mountains and rivers he made in his later years are well-defined and patchwork. The old wood is twisted and vigorous, like an old monk. This beautiful painting was not as interesting as Jane at first, but later I grew to like it. There are big paintings and sketches in the painting world, each of which is only * * *. As for the technique, it is extremely difficult to be airtight and sparse. Looking at a big painting is like reading a long article, where the keel twists and turns, and even the winding path leads to a secluded place, which shows its majestic atmosphere. As for sketching, although the scale is small and the painting materials are simple, it is only four or two. Chen Zizhuang's paintings fall into this category. Mr. Qi Baishi said: "What looks like is vulgar, and what doesn't look like is deceiving the world. Beauty lies in similarity and difference. " Chen Zizhuang was summed up in one sentence. I remember that I was studying the lines and colors of Zhu Xinjian carefully. I met Chen Zizhuang and was immediately attracted by him. Its picture structure is peculiar, broad-minded and seemingly casual, but it is full of rhythm and natural interest. Both the complexity of Huang Qiuyuan and the simplicity of Chen Zizhuang are full of individuality and cannot be copied. It is very good that the painter can reach this level. From ancient times to the present, we should be cautious in studying the works of masters. Whether in calligraphy or painting, there is a saying that "knock in and jump out". It's not easy to get in, and it's even harder to jump out. This is the truth that "those who learn from me live as if I were dead".
Comparatively speaking, I prefer Tao and An. These two documents are wonderful and the calligraphy is great. For example, Tao once said in a poem: "In another country, there is no display on New Year's Eve, so I borrowed two bottles from my neighbor. Folding plum blossoms with cypresses is also called spring full of cold courts. " This is a typical antagonistic mentality. Of course, it is Xiong Jing 'an's poem: "Claiming that Tianya is a vast place and Qiu Lan is a fence, we must glare at this world and laugh at it." Same thing, just a little crazy.