Hi Allan:

I don't know him. But I read that a Sweden lady falls in love when she saw a Chinese farmer who paints at Guiling.

And she brought him back to her country.

Allan:

You say China has 5,000 year's history? yet, Qu Yuan's image is one of only three of ancient Chinese figures in Chinese Art Gallery, in oil section. Counted less than 6% of total portraits of famous person.
Why?

* political repression and direction. (1957-1977)
* oil painting is harder to execute than Chinese painting.
* poor condition of artists, also political reason.
* weakness of artists.
* historical painting is more difficult.

Ancient figure is demigod.The viewers have imagination of their own from literature, stage, picture story book and more closely, in Chinese painting, a sketchy look. It may not be easily accepted if suddenly a more real image appears. Similar to analyze Bouguereau's image of fairy in "Art Through the Ages".

Even Repin's historical paintings were criticized.

Chinese painting website
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_artqa/node_431.htm

There is something fascinating by the Chinese way of painting. When it is at its best it seem to be as natural as breathing or writing. But of course it take a lifetime to get there !!!!!!!!

I have put the picture of the Beautiful Horse Riders at the desktop to set the standard.

Thanks, Allan

Thank you, Allan:
You are a connoisseur for Chinese painting. Many of today's young Chinese artists who follow modern western trend, are not good as you.

"Tu Meng of the Tang dynasty (618-905) developed 120 expressions to describe different styles of calligraphy and establish criteria for them. The first 15 from his list, with explanations and English interpretations by Chiang Yee:

ability, mysterious, careful, carefree, balance
unrestrained, mature, virile, grace, sober, well-knit, prolix, rich, exuberant, classic "

Another Dragon--Ostrovsky:

"By Dec 1926 polyarthritis deprived him of almost all mobility and be became virtually bedridden. Nonetheless, in December 1927 he began a correspondence course at the Sverdlov Communist University in Moscow and he completed it in June 1929. In August, he lost his vision.

In 1930, undaunted by his paralysis and blindness, in Sochi, he began work on first novel, How The Steel Was Tempered. He also wrote articles for newspapers and journals and spoke often on the radio. In April 1932 he became a member of the Moscow branch of the Association of Proletarian Writers and in June 1934 he joined the Union of Soviet Writers. On October 1, 1935, he was awarded the Order of Lenin".
http://www.sovlit.com/bios/ostrovsky.html

I remember beautiful illustrations of his novel "How The Steel Was Tempered". Wish I could find later.

Honoring the centennial of Ostrovsky's birth
"Remebering Nikolai Ostrovsky"
by Anna Karavaeva

The editor who helped Ostrovsky prepare his proletarian masterpiece How the Steel Was Tempered recalls her first meeting with the writer, his struggle with illness, his fierce determination, love of life, and the great plans left unfulfilled by his death.

http://www.sovlit.com/thin/remembering_ostrovsky/[/QUOTE

To be frank with you Schubert, I don

Carl Marx said: (not a quotation) Even if one is erudite and possesses superb skill, but without high moral, he can not be a paragon and a great man.
"If he works only for himself, he may perhaps become a famous man of learning, a great sage, an excellent poet, but he can never be a perfect, truly great man".


Do not go to extremity either: prattle is not pragmatical.

Allan, before your remonstration, I tried to delete some links. I enjoy this dialog. You are expected to tell us about Anderson--next year in April will be 200 years old.

Hi SB,

Thanks for your reply. I was afraid that I had been too contrary, witch I did not mean to be.

I also appreciate this international dialog and believe that something fruitful is the potentiality of a sincere and sane debate.

I like to think of it as a brainstorm, because I don