From Biography of Gu Kaizhi in the Book of Jin.
Original text:
Gu Kaizhi, a native of Wuxi, Jinling, is well-read and talented. People asked about the shape of mountains and rivers, and Qi Yun said, "Thousands of cliffs compete for beauty, while thousands of valleys compete for flow. It is covered with vegetation, if the clouds are thriving. " Every time Kaizhi eats sugar cane, she always goes from tip to root. People or strange, the cloud: "getting better."
The secluded mountains are picturesque, and the picture is wonderful. Xie Anshen thinks that there is something that has never been seen at the beginning of life. Every picture is a person, which was wonderful at that time. Taste the picture of Sister Pei, add three hairs on her cheek, and the viewer will feel that the fairy is extraordinary.
I especially believe in tricks, thinking that I will win if I speak. Huan Xuan tasted a willow leaf and said, cicada leaves are covered by themselves, so people can't see themselves. Kay's joy, attracting leaves to cover himself up, believing that he didn't see himself, is very precious.
Therefore, there are three unique ways of communication: talent, painting and infatuation.
Translation:
Gu Kaizhi is from Wuxi, Jinling. Gu Kaizhi is knowledgeable and talented. People asked him about the scenery of Kuaiji Mountain. Gu Kaizhi said: "Many rocks show beautiful colors, many rivers run by, and the vegetation is covered, which is spectacular like clouds." Gu Kaizhi often eats sugar cane, always from the tail to the root. Someone was surprised. He said, "It's getting better and better."
Gu Kaizhi is particularly good at painting, and his paintings are fantastic. Xie An attaches great importance to him and thinks that no one can match him since ancient times. Every time he paints a portrait, it is always wonderful. I once painted a portrait of Pei Kai, adding three hairs to my cheeks, which made the viewer feel particularly beautiful.
Gu Kaizhi especially believed in magic, thinking that he could get it as long as he asked. Huan Xuan once lied to him with a willow leaf, saying, "This is used by cicadas to hide their shame. If you use it to cover yourself, others will not see you. " Gu Kaizhi was so happy that he covered himself with a leaf, believing that Huan Xuan didn't see himself and cherished the leaf very much.
Therefore, the world says that Gu Kaizhi has three unique skills: talent, painting and infatuation.
Gu Kaizhi (348-409) was born in Wuxi, Jinling (now Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province), Han nationality. Outstanding painter, painting theorist and poet. Gu Kaizhi is well-read and good at poetry and calligraphy, especially painting.
Gu Kaizhi is knowledgeable and talented. He is good at poetry and calligraphy, especially at painting. Statues of workers, Buddha statues, animals, landscapes, etc. At that time, it was called "talent, painting and stupidity". His painter Fawei has changed again. His paintings are full of colors, slightly embellished with rich colors, and do not seek halo decoration. The handwriting is meticulous and firm, such as silkworms spinning and spring clouds fluttering. Historically, Cao Buxing, Gu Kaizhi, Lu Tanwei and Zhang Sengyou were collectively called "four outstanding figures in the Six Dynasties". He is proficient in painting theory, and his arguments such as "thinking wonderfully" and "writing spirit with form" have great influence on the development of Chinese painting.
Gu Kaizhi is obsessed with art and literature, but indifferent to fame and fortune. He adopted the philosophy of "being both stupid and foolish, and being wise to protect himself" to achieve his highest artistic achievement.