FINCHES AND BAMBOO

Depictions of nature formed a large part of Chinese art production in the past. This painting was created by Emperor Hui-Tsung (1101-1125 CE) of the Sung Dynasty. A gifted artist, the Sung ruler spent large amounts of money supporting the arts of calligraphy, painting and rock-garden sclupture. The Emperor even set up an academy of painting.

-- It has been suggested that the philosophy of Daoism influenced Chinese views of nature. Do these images of nature reflect the thought that you saw in the Dao De Ching ?
-- Remember the Dao? Do you think this image represents the working of the Dao?
-- How realistic is this? Do you think that this artist was concerned with exact detail?
-- Why would an emperor become an artist?

[Click on the image to see another painting.]

Source: FINCHES AND BAMBOO. Handscroll; ink and colors on silk; 27.9 x 45.7 cm. New York Mteropolitan Museum of Art. Emperor Hui-Tsung. Sung Dynasty 1082-1135 CE. Dillion 1981.278.

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