On The Innovation Of Shitao's Paintings

The dissertation studies and analyses the innovation of the paintings of Shitao, the great painter and theorist in late Ming and early Qing dynasty. In order to get a deeper understanding of the innovation in his paintings, the author combines own facsimile experience of Shitao's paintings, appreciating Shitao's famous works, studying the postscripts of Shitao's paintings and Shitao's theoretical work Analects on Paintings (huayulu), going back to his time and doing research on previous studies. The author finds the following: The innovation of Shitao's paintings is based on the traditional culture and the ideal of"learning from the nature". On the concept level, the concept of"One Stroke"(yihua), is a new concept of Chinese painting, which refers to not only the sprits and regularity of Chinese painting, but also the expressive method of painting. On the specific skills level, he developed a method of combing pen and ink to express"bone sense". While in composition, he introduced the concept of"form and sprits"and constructed the mental-feeling theory (jingjielilun). On the method of painting, his"without law and get the law"(wufaerfa), refers to the painting method which is based on the mastering of traditional painting laws and expressing one's own feeling of the natural and finally get the freedom of creation.Shitao's paintings have far-reaching influence. It is not only because of their unique style, but also because they are embodied the spirit of innovation. Our further study will have important realistic meaning to the development of art history and spreading of national culture. It will also work as significant guide to the contemporary arts practice.