Xiao Temple is a Buddhist temple. Legend has it that Emperor Wu of Liang was a firm believer in Buddhism, and the 480 Temples of the Southern Dynasty speak of the scene of the flourishing of Buddhism at that time. Emperor Wu of Liang built a temple and ordered the calligrapher Xiao Ziyun to write the character "Xiao". Over time, later generations called the Buddhist temple Xiao Temple. When the theme of mountain dwelling became the main theme of landscape painting, there were more and more works depicting Xiao Temple in the mountains. Wang Meng in the Yuan Dynasty liked to paint this subject, and when the painters of the Ming and Qing dynasties paid tribute to Wang Meng, they often used the title of "Hanshan Xiao Temple" to create.
This landscape painting is the work of the Qing Dynasty painter Wang Huan, who was a descendant of Wang Yuanqi. In his creation, Wang Yu attaches great importance to the beginning and end of the composition, and the works look atmospheric and elegant, which is very in line with the aesthetic characteristics of orthodox painting. Orthodoxy is also known as the Loudong faction, because most of the famous masters in the orthodox faction are Loudong people.
Wang Yu Hanshan Xiao Temple
Orthodoxy is the mainstream style of the Qing Dynasty painting world, you can understand the characteristics of the orthodoxy in the painting world through this "Hanshan Xiao Temple", and by the way, see why the orthodoxy can become the mainstream.
The ancients of Shifa reached a deliberate level and were the greatest feature of orthodoxy. According to Wang Yu's aesthetic, he wished that every stroke had the shadow of the ancients, and it did not matter at all whether he had his own brand. From Wang Shimin to Wang Yuanqi to Wang Huan, their paintings embody the importance of ancient times.
Wang Yu Hanshan Xiao Temple partial
The second characteristic of orthodoxy is that the composition is single, and it looks similar. Take "Hanshan Xiao Temple" as an example, full of deliberate starting and turning, typical of the "dragon vein landscape" pattern. Over time, the painter indulged in the formalist painting style, resulting in "the decline of the painting path".
Some people attribute the decline of creative ability to "the gradual annihilation of ancient methods", which is a big mistake. It is not that the ancient law has been lost, but that the advantages of the ancients in their creation have not been passed on. For example, Fan Kuan of the Northern Song Dynasty lived in the mountains in order to observe the landscape of the four seasons. So he can draw the momentum of the mountain. Qing Dynasty painters hid in the studio, naturally unable to learn the essence of the ancient techniques.
Less novelty, lack of change, even if the portrayal is exquisite, it also makes people feel that there are shortcomings. What is missing? The pen and ink are subtle, thick and clear, and elegant, but there is no aura of real mountains and real water. Good works should be a collection of ancient works, self-made. Wang Huan has no problem in collecting dacheng, but he loses his personality in imitation.
Orthodoxy is characterized by shortcomings, and it is puzzling that it can still be popular. The word orthodox implies the meaning of the lineage of the famous and upright and the lineage. Orthodoxy and Qing dynasty court painting are inextricably linked, and the style of court painting emphasizing form and decoration makes painters abandon personality expression. Works without personality, like "Hanshan Xiao temple", are beautiful and lack of interest.
Admire "Hanshan Xiao Temple" and learn about the orthodox painting style of the Qing Dynasty. Understanding that Wang Yu lacked real feelings in his creation, he could comment on this landscape painting impartially.