Introduction
The Chinese people experienced eminent growths in terms of art and their culture between the period of 950-1200 AD. There were many developments in music, philosophy, literature and visual arts, which blossomed due to printing activities, hence making the Chinese culture spread to other regions. Among the major contributors towards this growth are the Song, Ming, Qing and Yuan Dynasties, which did many paintings and poetry to reflect further their culture 1. These works of art were exhibited for viewers during religious and other seasonal activities, an event that made the Chinese appreciate their culture. At some point during that particular period, a number of Chinese artists began combining both painting and poetry in order to facilitate their intended message. Through this, the cultural diversity among the Chinese people could be seen in the different works of art that were painted. Poems that were written by these artists touched on the social, economic and political aspects of life among the Chinese 2. The elite members of the Chinese society appreciated paintings as well as the poems that came along with them. This is because the artist brought a new relationship between poetry and painting in a manner that reflected the cultural lifestyle of the people. This article explores the relationship between poetry and the work of art by analyzing the two given article.
The Major Topics
The works of the two artists are based on paintings of flowers reflecting the culture and lifestyles of the Chinese people and the different dynasties during the sixteenth century.
- Turner, Fredrick. “Chinese Tang Poetry.” 2014. 2 April 2014.
http://frederickturnerpoet.com/?page_id=210
- Ibid
They also show the interaction between the works of poetry and Chinese work of art by displaying a close relationship between words and images coined together by the two artists. These paintings concentrated on the use of flowers as their subjects because of the appealing effects that they have, for example, touch, sight and smell 3. This is because, from the aforementioned aesthetic effects of flowers, the Chinese artists and painter were able to derive a number of topics over which they could paint or write about. The flowers represented the beauty of nature, and particularly, the artists used them to describe and bring out the beauty of women in the Chinese society 4. Just like in the current society and from the global perspective, women represent the symbol of love and nobility; both articles in question state that the artists and painters in the existing dynasties of China used flowers to symbolize women’s noble and loving nature, for example, in the article by Harrist, the poem by Hui-tsuing that is accompanied by a painting of bird is described by the emperor to be representing the integrity and nobility of mankind.
- Robert, E., Harrist “Chien Hsuan’s Pear Blossom: The Tradition of Flower Painting and PoetryFrom Sung to Yuan.” 1987. 2 April 2014. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metmuseum.org%2Fpubs%2Fjournals%2F1%2Fpdf%2F1512834.pdf.bannered.pdf&ei=b6w7U9GMN4rsswaI_IC4CQ&usg=AFQjCNGxOw7QEUDbMR-CZ1Hs5thJd6HhqQ&sig2=zJMKnNQsLnxxN8B93fH_rg&bvm=bv.63934634,d.Yms
- Ibid
Concerns: Politics, Social and Economic issues
- Robert, E., Harrist. “Chien Hsuan’s Pear Blossom: The Tradition of Flower Painting and Poetry from Sung to Yuan.” 1987. 2 April 2014. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metmuseum.org%2Fpubs%2Fjournals%2F1%2Fpdf%2F1512834.pdf.bannered.pdf&ei=b6w7U9GMN4rsswaI_IC4CQ&usg=AFQjCNGxOw7QEUDbMR-CZ1Hs5thJd6HhqQ&sig2=zJMKnNQsLnxxN8B93fH_rg&bvm=bv.63934634,d.Yms
- Kathlyn M., Liscomb “Li Bai, A Hero among Poets, in the visual Dramatic, and Literary
Works of China: The Art of Bulleting.” 1999. Vol. 81, No. 3. pp. 354-389.
- Ibid
- Kathlyn M., Liscomb “Li Bai, A Hero among Poets, in the visual Dramatic, and Literary
Works of China: The Art of Bulleting.” 1999. Vol. 81, No. 3. pp. 354-389.
- Ibid
Methods
In order to captivate the attention of their audience, the Chinese artist used several methods. One of the major methods that these artists employed in their work was the combination of poems and painting in one material in order to be viewed as one product. This is one of the best methods which ensured the successful delivery of their messages through their works. The description brought through in the poems meant to evoke emotions and the thinking of readers, while the use of images, for example, the use of birds, goose or butterfly was meant to give an aesthetic effect to the art of works, and further stressing the message in the written poems. A good example of such products is the painting of flowers and a bird that was painted by Hui-tsung in the 10th century. In order to capture the feelings of their audience, a number of poems were written in a human manner so that the readers would relate with them. These are evident in the love poems 10. Another important method of captivating their target audience was the use of vernacular language. This is because their target audience was majorly the Chinese people, especially during the rebellion that was led by Lai Bai. Local language was a successful strategy in capturing a large number of audiences 11.
Materials
According to the two articles, the artists used images of flowers and birds as the main objects in their painting, for example, Shu Shi wrote a poem and a painting of a goose. In this work of art, the presence of the bird gave the entire work a feeling of life and naturalness.
- Kathlyn M., Liscomb “Li Bai, A Hero among Poets, in the visual Dramatic, and Literary
Works of China: The Art of Bulleting.” 1999. Vol. 81, No. 3. pp. 354-389.
- Ibid
Another material used in these works of art is silk materials whereby the paintings were done for the exhibition, for example, the poem written on silk that was found in the tomb of Prince Chu 12. This poem was written on silk and accompanied by a painting of a butterfly and some calligraphy writings. Apart from employing the birds and good writing skills that they possessed, these poets sourced their ideas from the natural sceneries that they could see. The great Chinese rivers prompted poems about rivers. The Chinese artists used ink-brush to do their paintings of birds and other objects, after which they would write a poem in the description of the painting itself. In other words, the writings of the poems are but a description of the paintings. Some paintings were done on stones whereby the writings are also engraved on these stones, for example, the portrait of Tang dynasty of 1873 13. In the article of Li Bai, it is also clear that the artists produced their works on woodblocks that were illustrated as books. This format did reach a larger population of readership who were also able to learn new ideologies in regards to the social changes that Li Bai was fighting for.
Successes
One of the major successes of these artists and poets is seen in the efforts of Li Bai, who used his poetry to lead people into rebellion against the leaders of Tang Dynasty. His efforts were so influential that led to the fall of the entire Tang Dynasty 14.
- Kathlyn M., Liscomb “Li Bai, A Hero among Poets, in the visual Dramatic, and Literary
Works of China: The Art of Bulleting.” 1999. Vol. 81, No. 3. pp. 354-389.
- Ibid
- Ibid
The reason behind his successful effort in leading this rebellion is because a number of educated individuals in the society were supporting his course. There were also many platforms, which disseminated the works of Li Bai, for example, when he produced the painting showing the removal of his shoes. He was portrayed as a hero in pictures, printed and even painted portraits. Li Bai emerged top icon even during the drama festivals among the Ming Dynasty as he was mentioned in a number of Ming Dynasty music dramas. It is also evident that the poets were able to spearhead revolutionary activities in all aspects of life of traditional Chinese society 15.
Shortcomings
One of the major shortcomings of the works of art that were produced by the Chinese artists is that the majority of them were written in Chinese language, therefore, limiting the scope of their audience 16. This is because works of art, particularly the poems. Poetry is supposed to target worldwide readership because of their various functions, for example, entertainment. The fact that they were written in vernacular languages means that, non-Chinese people could neither read nor understand them. This proved problematic even during the process of translating them into the English language. For example, some of their stanzas lose meaning when they are translated word by word into English, unless they are modified.
Improvements
The works of art that were produced by these artists were great and very successful in passing across the messages that they were intended for, however, in every piece of work, there
- Kathlyn M., Liscomb “Li Bai, A Hero among Poets, in the visual Dramatic, and Literary
Works of China: The Art of Bulleting.” 1999. Vol. 81, No. 3. pp. 354-389.
- Ibid
is always room for improvement. One of the improvements I would make these products is the use of varied types of color to pass a certain messages, for example, the use of white color in paintings that are meant to promote peace and tranquility among the different dynasties. The inclusion of more colors, while used appropriately would add more value and attractiveness to the paintings. Another improvement that the Chinese artist should make is to write more poems in the English language so that they gain a wider readership at the global level.
Bibliography
Harrist, E., Robert. “Chien Hsuan’s Pear Blossom: The Tradition of Flower Painting and Poetry
Liscomb, M., Kathlyn. “Li Bai, A Hero among Poets, in the visual Dramatic, and Literary
Works of China: The Art of Bulleting.” 1999. Vol. 81, No. 3. pp. 354-389.
Turner, Fredrick. “Chinese Tang Poetry.” 2014. 2 April 2014.
http://frederickturnerpoet.com/?page_id=210
