Sun Kehong Research

Flower-and-bird paintings experienced a development from initial style of courtyard inherited form South Song Dynasty to free sketch style of literati, during which eminent artists and masterpieces appeared forth in large amount. Researches on Sun Kehong, an important artist in Wanli Longqing Period, have not yet attracted extensive concerns among academics. Relevant researches, other than systemic studies, only focus on the authentication of his specific works. Aiming at summarizing the characteristics of flower-and-bird paintings of Ming Dynasty, this paper studies Sun Kehong’s lifetime, style of works, traits of character, friends,and elegant hobbies to unveil a real Sun Kehong. As is showed in this research, among his nearly one hundred existing works, flower-and-bird paintings account for a large proportion, most of which are themed on flowers and in format of long scroll. It is ascertained that Sun Kehong’s flower paintings are endowed with two styles, meticulous painting style and free sketch style, and his flower paintings of the latter style are slightly more than those of the former one. Sun Kehong learns free sketch painting from Xu Xi, Shen Zhou and Chen Chun, while his meticulous paintings of courtyard style of South Song Dynasty are learnt from HuangQuan and Zhao Chang. Besides, he also has a passion on themes of plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and Chrysanthemum. He imitates Wen Tong’s bamboo painting and Zheng Sixiao’s orchid painting, and he loves painting red bamboo as well. Sun Kehong’s landscape paintings account for a small percentage. Inheriting Mi style focusing on clouds and mountains and Go Gong’ brushwork, his existing landscape paintings remind beholders of the moist lower regions of Changjiang River brimming with mist. Sun Kehong is an expert in Buddha paintings with succinct brushwork and traditional ancient style. He also owns some calligraphy works in existence. As a man of literature, Sun Kehong leads a poetic life, with interests, except for painting and calligraphy, in appreciating rain and snow and collecting books and writing articles. He establishes an intimate friendship with Songjiang Literati. In history of traditional Chinese painting, Sun Kehong is a recluse and a genuine man of literature.