Uphold Truth And Principle, Wash Off Adornment

Genre painting, as one important theme of figure painting, mainly depicts the lives of people. It is a unique painting of national style. During the Song Dynasty, figure painting, especially genre painting, reached its climax with more new subjects and skills. Genre painting of the Song Dynasty was natural, intimate, lively and rich in the flavor of life. It occupied a unique place in the history of China's ancient painting, so to research into the Song genre painting has much reference and significance for the present artistic creation and research on traditional painting.Firstly, this thesis points out the purpose and significance of the topic. Although the Song genre painting occupied an important place in the history of China's ancient painting, there are limited relevant records and treatises. So to research deeply into it is quite difficult. In view of this and on the basis of collecting, reading and learning from predecessors' research achievements as much as possible, the author tries to analyze the subjects, conception of creation, ways of artistic presentation, and then understand the unique charm of the Song genre painting, in the hope of offering some new thoughts for the present artistic creation and research on traditional painting.Secondly, with a wealth of full and accurate material, in the light of study on the philosophy of Chinese culture, using historical point of view and dialectical method, this thesis makes a deep and careful analysis on the historical and social background, subjects, painting conception and ways of artistic presentation of the Song genre painting. The author believes that genre painting reached its climax in the Song Dynasty was not only the result of specified political, military, economic and cultural background of that time and the painting conception of upholding principle and truth, but also the result of Song Dynasty carrying on traditional skills as well as daring to surpass and create. This point of view is a new try in researching on the Song genre painting.Lastly, the thesis sums up the inspirations gained from the artistic practice of Song genre painters: Abiding by realistic spirit is the principle that every artist should observe; Creation of figure painting must be based on life; Creation of figure painting must attach much attention to cultivating the ability of using consummate skills, especially the strong ability of shaping.