A Study On The Evolution Of Huang Binhong's Philosophy And Painting Aesthetics

A study on the evolution of Huang Binhong's philosophy and painting aestheticsDuring the late eighteenth century as China was undergoing revolutionary changes in its social and political systems, Huang Binhong, inheriting the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture and exploring new artistic conceptions, created a new and unique artistic world of "hun hou hua zi" [simple and honest flourish]. This thesis is a concrete examination on the development of Huang's work and philosophy.Preface: A brief explanation of the purpose of the research, its significance, and an outline of the basic structure of the thesis.Chapter One: A background of Huang Binhong and the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture. After the opium war and in the wake of societal and economic change, a group of scholars inherited the tradition of "jing shi zhi yong" [manage the world and apply it], and advocated reform to build a stronger and wealthier China. Their thoughts and claims became a movement to cast off the fetters of the ancient classics. Understanding Chinese history and the realities of decadent feudalism, the School of Reform, headed by Kang Youwei, promoted the idea of changing technique and strengthening drawings based on contemporary literature classics studies, thus significantly revolutionizing Chinese traditional art. After the failure of the School of Reform Movement, however, Kang Youwei gradually reversed his stance joining the conservatives. Parting from Kang Youwei, Zhang Taiyan along with Huang Binhong leaned away from reform toward revolution and formed the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture.Huang Binhong also participated in the School of Reform Movement with the purpose of saving Chinese people against the corruptions of dynastic rale. As the School of Reform Movement separated, Huang wanted to build a school to preserve classical studies while also advocating the revolutionary thought of the quintessence of Chinese culture. The fundamentals of his evolution of thinking towards the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture can be divided into two parts. First, Huang Binhong had a solid background in traditional scholarship. Growing up in a prosperous and enriching cultural atmosphere, he received an excellent traditional education and formed a solid scholarship in the traditional classics. Second, Huang accepted the philosophy of the School of Reform fully conceptualizing the revolutionary thought of the quintessence of Chinese culture. However later on, he never remained a reformist, but instead continued to follow the tide of progress and joined the democratic republican revolutionary group.There are four characteristics in Huang Binhong's practice of the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture. First, he inherited the methods of ancient literature classics studies, praising Huang Zongxi and forming the Huang She [Huang Society]. The Huang Society extensively researched Jin Shi studies and promoted the observance of duty of those who still adhered to the old thinking. Second, Huang used the scholarly arts to advocate revolution. He edited Guo Cui Xue Bao [Journal for the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture studies] and Zhen Xiang Hua Bao [the True Face of Art Journal], while participating in various organizations such as Nan She [South Society], Yi Guan Xue Hui [the Art Outlook Association], and others. Third, as a continuation of the philosophy of the quintessence of Chinese culture,Huang understood the idea of sovereignty for the common people, and had a vague awareness of democracy. Fourth, he absorbed a western cultural position being involved in the international scholarly world. Through these experiences, Huang's philosophy on painting and his artistic vision had deepened as well as widened in his later years.Chapter Two: An analysis on Huang Binhong's painting aesthetics. Huang had pursued the concept of the unity of Heaven and man from a traditional Chinese philosophical thought, in which man can start from any natural...