Taoism's Reflection On Painting Concepts

Taoism thought has a great influence on the art of Chinese painting. This effect is not the oretically on the painting skill level, but ascends to an aesthetic theory of life philosophy.The core notion of Taoism is "Tao", however, Tao denotes something that is both the so urce of, and the force behind, everything that exists. The term Tao means "way", "path" o r "principle", which becomes clear when one is in constant mediation with all thoughts b eing subconsciously regulated outside the state of mental stillness, although emotions wil l drive thoughts they remain an absolute choice. Thus, Taoism negates artificial, and imm oderate art. Taoist concept is the idea of aspiration of psychic and spiritual pursuit, when integrated in Chinese painting, it is a tranquil aesthetic sentiment, a native feeling, an inh erent personality and a thorough artistic realm. Lao Tzu and Chuang-Tzu's theory enlight ened the painting ideology in the following aspects: obeying the nature corresponds with the natural beauty; the images of virtual and real corresponds with spatial relation; the sy ndrome differentiation of beauty and ugliness; the inspiration of Taoism principle to artis try; the thoughts of harmonious combination of heaven and man with the meaning of pai nting style.