|
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.
|