A Study Of Zen Thought In The Paintings Of "Four Monks"

A unique history makes a special character.The emergence of a large number of monk painters in the special historical period of the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty change dynasties.Shi Tao,Badashanren,kuncan,Hongren are among of the most representative figures.They are called "four monks",has a similar life experience and life circumstances."Four monks" as the adherents of the Ming Dynasty,whatever the purpose of becoming a monk?They have strong national consciousness and patriotism in their hearts,they are full of infinite loneliness and sadness,all of them also have made unremitting efforts to maintain the dignity and independence of personality;they have been influenced by Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism all their life,because of long immersion Zen Buddhism,they regard Zen as the final destination of soul."Four monks" have more liberal ideas and a more distinctive style of painting than those of their contemporaries,they put the zen ideology into the painting by borrowing the spirit of innovation and natural imitation,blowing a breath of fresh air for the early Qing Dynasty art circles.Their painting style and painting idea have an important influence on the later ages,and they are a unique monument in the history of Chinese art."Four monk" as the double identity of monks and painter,When they borrow writing brush and ink to express their mind,they always consciously or unconsciously integrate the understanding and perception of Zen into their paintings,thus reaching the realm of unity of mind and matter.This paper interprets the Zen thought contained in the paintings of "four monks" from three aspects:theme,writing brush and ink,artistic conception.Through the study of "four monks",a small number of figure paintings found them in the choice of theme in addition to Taoism and Buddhism figures,mostly appear in the image of the hermits and talents.Because of the "four monks" have good poetry culture,Zen accomplishment and extraordinary talent,Their figure paintings are more inclined to express feelings of the aesthetic category,different from the bearing function of orthodoxy portrait."Four monks" of the figure painting,or to the ideal characters of metaphor Zen wonderful principle,or to see truth flash through the mind entering the present world with secular life,they are relieved in Zen thought under the influence of bearing mood.The themes of "four monks" landscape paintings,flower and bird paintings are basically a common image in daily life.As Buddhist monks,Their choice of themes close to life is closely related to the practice of Zen emphasizing the practice of reality.On the writing brush and ink,whether it is thirsty brush or wild painting splash-ink,"Four monks" of the painting styles have their own characteristics.Shi Tao’s "lawless method";Badashanren’s concise;kuncan’s dry brush and thirsty ink;Hongren’s bright and clean."Four monks" of painting,whether it is Strange or brief,quiet or clean,their paintings is full of deep Zen,it may be said fresh and refined,boundless flavor,Zen painting interest coexist.On the artistic conception,"four monks" with lucid and refined wisdom,ingenious and clear heart,having deep spiritual communication and art objects,exploring the inner dynamics of nature,endowing painting deep meditation wit.In the Chinese painting history,the Qing Dynasty is an important period of the development of the painting,"Four monks" as a leader of the opposition,their efforts broke the old pattern of art and art circles in the early Qing Dynasty.broadened people’s artistic horizons,promoted the development path of China painting,they established the important position of carrying on the past heritage and opening up the future by borrowing the spirit of maintaining innovation as a way of inheritance.The painting practice and theory of "four monks",through the heavy curtain of history,have a great influence on the major schools of painting,painters and painting aesthetics in later China.