China Popular Itineraries |
|
|
|
|
Zhang Zeduan (in the Song Dynasty): The Festival of Pure Brightness on the River |
Zhang Zeduan (style name Zhengdao), whose birth and death dates are not clear, was a painter of the North Song Dynasty. He was from Dongwu, now Zhucheng, Shandong Province. In his youth, he lived in Bian Liang and entered the Han Lin Art Academy during the reign of Song Weizong of the Northern Song Dynasty. He was distinguished in boundary painting, especial-ly in painting vessels and vehicles, cities and bridges, city walls and paths; and established a unique style of his own. The Festival of Pure Brightness on the River is one of his extant masterpieces.
The Festival of Pure Brightness on the River, (picture No. 5, see p. 678) a hand scroll in silk and light color, 528cm ~ 25em, depicts the prosper-ous and noisy features of the capital city Bian Liang of the North Song Dy-nasty and the beautiful scenery along the Bian River at the time of Festival of Pure Brightness. It is divided into three sections: The first section presents a view of the suburb, the serene fields and villages, and farmers with their pack animals advancing along the footpath to the city. Everywhere are stretches of green trees with young leaves -- a riot of early spring. In the second section, the rippling Bian River with the Hong Qiao Bridge over it becomes the main theme, as every activity such as the coming and going of the boats and carts, the business trades, all took place along the river. There are boats lying in an-chor along the bank with people living at ease within them; there are the boat-men steering boats against the current and lines of boat trackers towing with their back bent; there are various kinds of people and stores on the streets a-long the river... The most attractive is the boat going under the Hong Qiao Bridge, the mast at rest, the junkmen in position with people shouting and crying on the bridge, people waving their cheers on the bank, and a crowd of people gathering around to watch. This section marks the climax of the whole picture. The last section displays a prosperous and noisy scene of the capital city with crisscross streets, row upon row of stores and crowds of people and vehicles inside and outside the city-gate. The picture represents the life of the society of the Song Dynasty in its various aspects. Not only is it an outstand-ing artwork of painting, it is also of highly historical documentary value. The painter fully demonstrated his ability to control such a spectacular scene and in organizing its complicated contents. In the picture, he has described more than 500 kinds of characters, among whom are men and women, young and old, soldiers and farmers, workers and businessmen, monks and Taoists, artists and beggars. There are also over 90 domestic animals, 160 trees of dif-ferent kinds, 20 boats, carriages and sedans as well as countless houses and buildings in the picture. With such a great variety of objects, so orderly, properly, and skillfully arranged in an area of only 528cm x 25cm, the integrity of this work of art is highly impressive. The Festival of Pure Brightness on the River is considered an outstanding work of immortal value in the history of ancient Chinese painting for its rich contents of highly historic authenticity, and vivid artistic expressions. |
|
