The Research On Jian Jiang's Painting

As the head of Four Monks, Jian Jiang is one of the most special and best recommended landscapists in the filed of traditional Chinese painting in late Ming and early Qing. The style of his works is distinct to those of the Four Wangs, who are regarded at that time as the authorities in the field of Chinese painting. Even comparing with the other three ones of the Four Monks, Jian Jiang's painting also has his own special characteristics. In Jian Jiang's works, the fresh, simple, light and far brushwork as well as the grand, precipitous and vigorous artistic conception is the concentrated reflection of the harmony of himself with the practical views around him. The artistic life of Jian Jiang can be regarded as the process of studying the ancient masters, spurring innovation and learning from the nature. He claimed that the world was his teacher and he traveled the mountains alone with the crutch. He proposed to search inspiration from the real world in the process of art creation. The school of Xin An, a branch of Chinese painting established by Jian Jiang, played an important role in the field of painting in China in that time. Like a clear brook, his outstanding achievements also made great impacts on the Chinese painting. Thus, the researches on Jian Jiang can let us learn about him. Furthermore, it is also helpful to learn the artistic thoughts and overall perspective of the field of landscape painting in the late Ming and early Qing. Jian Jiang is systematically analyzed in this paper from different perspectives. From the view of painting style, the mentality and innovation of Jian Jiang's painting are summarized with the time background, his personal life, his masters and friends as well as the natural environment. This can reveal the special artistic conception and the thoughts behind his painting. The purpose is to explore the artistic life of Jian Jiang, to open a window to learn him and his artistic spirits, and to demonstrate the important role he played in the history of Chinese painting.