The Pathos And Madness In Literati’s Painting In Yuan Dynasty

The blossoming of Yuan Dynasty painting is represented by the literati’s painting.Among all forms of painting styles, literati’s painting was absolutely the leading style,followed by the folk paintings. As to the standards of painting criticism, literati’spainting, due to its graceful style, was the highest level. Literati’ painting emphasizes“Painting lies where calligraphy lies”, insisting on the integration of painting andcalligraphy, so as to form a new style. This new trend was a big breakthrough ofLiterati’ painting in pursuing the artistic presentation of Chinese traditional paintingand artistic beauty.As the whole country was conquered by Yuan rulers with power, the conflictsbetween nations and classes existed sharply. The scholar class were suffering from thedecay of the nation and the lost of the nation’s will. To releve their grief and sorrow,the only way they could resort to was to paint and write. The bamboo, orchid andplum blossom, which were often used to represent the virtuous men, had become thepopular subjects for creation. That era is full of pathos, which is also the social mood.The phenomenon was very obvious especially at the beginning of Yuan Dynasty, theturning point of the history, when there were many strong-minded scholars who werestill keeping on their resistance furiously with their paintbrushes, expressing theiranger against the society with a sense of great madness presented in their art works.Such performances defeated all those existing in Yuan Dynasty. As the society grewconcordantly, such madness became less and people also became more rational.Meanwhile, scholars’ painting sense and their awareness of the society had changed.Under the long-term stressful political demonstrations, scholars’ consciousness ebbedand flew. They became to pursuit nothing and being at ease. That caused anotherevolution in literati’s painting style in Yuan Dynasty.Great changes have taken place during this era about literati’s painting. Itsachievement is far beyond our reach. Yuan Dynasty is a key period of transition ofpainting style in the painting history. Literati painters’ sensitive feel and greatmadness towards art can be totally revealed by their recognition and practice on subjects choosing and art performing. The transition and achievement of painting inYuan Dynasty have long and deep influences on the painting style arising after it,especially on the development of literati’s painting.