A Study On The Aesthetic Theory Of Shitao's Hua-Yulu

As an enigmatical and abstruse theoretical masterpiece on painting, Shitao's Hua-Yulu plays an important role in the history of Chinese aesthetics. The dissertation aims at finding a plausible interpretation of the aesthetic enigma on the basis of Chinese philosophy, painting theory and the semantic interpretation of Chinese language.Through the analysis of the cultural context of the original text, the paper tries to define the cardinal aesthetic proposition and question-oriented awareness of Hua-Yulu, intending to making a new systematic study on Hua-Yulu. The author argues that the aesthetic theory of Hua-Yulu is a comprehensive aesthetic system, composed of the theories of artistic root, artistic spirit, painting artistry and artistic ideal state.Firstly, the theory of artistic root focuses on the concept of "Yi-Hua". "Yi-Hua" is the root and essence of universe and art. And then, Shitao proposes the concept of "Yi-Hua-Zhi-Fa". In the meantime, Shitao brings it to light that "Ben-Zhen-Zhi-Wo" is the actual root of "Yi-Hua". Secondly, the theory of artistic spirit probes into the problem on how to transforms us from "counter-artistic-spirit" into "artistic spirit". The main content embodies three inter-related concepts and their theories: "Zun-Shou", "Meng-Yang" and "Sheng-Huo". Thirdly, the theory of landscape painting artistry discusses the artistry of landscape paintings, consisting of the problems of the relation between "Yi-Hua" and "Bi-Mo" "Shan-Chuan", of time and space of landscape paintings, and so forth. Fourthly, the theory of artistic ideal state concentrates on what is the supreme state of artistry. The artistic ideal state is presented from different aspects, i.e. "Yin-Yun", "Yuan-Chen", "Tuo-Su" and "Zi-Ren". All these special technical terms show the individual characteristics of Shitao's painting theory.Finally, in the perspective of culture and history which is related to Shitao's aesthetic principle, the thesis tries to find out the aesthetic nature, ponder over its aesthetic influences on later generations, and reflect on the contemporary value of the aesthetic theory of Hua-Yulu.