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Tao: *
Lao-Tze (literally "Old Master") ancient Chinese philosopher & writer, author of the Tao Te Ching and founder of Taoism; a deity in Taoism & traditional Chinese religions; semi-legendary portrayed as a 6th-century BC contemporary of Confucius (though he may have lived during the 4th century BC). Central figure in Chinese culture, claimed by the Tang emperors as a founder of their lineage. His work has been embraced by both various anti-authoritarian movements and Chinese Legalism.
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art of gardening (grand religious art, Chinese Culture): *
legends played an important part in early garden design. In the 4th century BC, the tale of the Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas) described a peak called Mount Penglai located on one of 3 islands at the eastern end of the sea between China & Korea, home of the 8 Immortals. On this island were palaces of gold & silver, with jewels on the trees, there was no pain, no winter, wine glasses & rice bowls were always full, fruits, when eaten, granted eternal life.
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In 221 BC, Ying Zheng, the King of Qin unified China under the Qin Empire; he heard the legend of the islands & sent emissaries to find them & bring him the elixir of immortal life. At his palace near his capital, Xianyang, he created a garden with a large lake called Lanchi gong (or the Lake of the Orchids). On an island in the lake he created a replica of Mount Penglai, symbolizing his search for paradise.
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Chinese landscape (nature of, meandering): *
From the Han dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD) onwards painters produced increasingly sophisticated landscape backgrounds to figure subjects showing hunting, farming or animals, with surviving examples mostly in stone or clay reliefs from tombs, which follow the prevailing styles in painting. See below: The Emperor Ming Huang traveling in Shu. Under the poet Wang Wei (699-759) there was a decisive shift to a monochrome landscape style, almost devoid of figures. See below (3rd illustration). From the 10th century we have original paintings which have survived, the best being works of the Song Dynasty (960–1279) Southern School.
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Chinese convention placed greater value in the work of amateur scholar-gentleman (often poets), over those produced by professionals. When figures are included they are very often such persons, or sages, contemplating the mountains. Famous works have accumulated numbers of red "appreciation seals", often poems added by later owners. The shan shui tradition became prominent in the 5th century and means literally "mountain-water" & refers to a style of traditional painting involving scenery or natural landscapes, using brush & ink rather than conventional paints. Mountains, rivers & waterfalls are prominent. It is not intended to represent actual locations (even if named), as in the convention of the Eight Views. A different style, produced by workshops of professional court artists, painted official views of Imperial tours and ceremonies, with the primary emphasis on highly detailed scenes of crowded cities and grand ceremonials from a high viewpoint. These were painted on scrolls of enormous length in bright colour.
The Emperor Ming Huang Travelling in Shu
Painted silk, copy of a Tang dynasty original of the 8th century AD. Shows the entourage riding through vertiginous mountains of the type typical of later paintings, but is in full colour.
Clearing Autumn Skies over Mountains & Valleys
by Kuo Hsi
Northern Song Dynasty (1070 ), detail from a horizontal scroll.
Early Spring, painted by Northern Song Dynasty artist Guo Xi (1020–1090 AD)
Sham sui style
Travelling among Streams & Mountains
by Fan Kuan (990-1030 AD)
Song Dynasty.
Painted silk, 2 x 1 metres.
Along the River During the Qingming Festival
Court style panorama, 18th-century copy of 12th century Song Dynasty original by Chinese artist Zhang Zeduan.
Zhang's original painting is revered by scholars as "one of Chinese civilization’s greatest masterpieces. The scroll begins at the right end, culminates above as the Emperor boards his yacht joining the festive boats on the river.
