Study On The Paintings Of The Theme Of "Ya Ji" In The Ming Dynasty

"Literati Gathering" is a traditional gathering of making friends for Chinese literati,which means some scholars with the common interests can compose poems or enjoy the beauty of mountains and water.Since ancient times,the literati gatherings are numerous,and many are well known,including the gathering of "Seven Worthies of Bamboo Grove" in the Wei and Jin Dynasties to the Lanting Pavilion gathering held by Wang Xizhi and his friends and then the Western Garden Gathering held by Su Dongpo and his friends.Meanwhile,"literati gathering" is the traditional and special theme in the history of Chinese painting.From the "Golden Valley Garden Gathering" of Wei,Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties to the creation of "Eighteen Scholars" of Sui and Tang Dynasties,the theme of"Western Garden Gathering" in Song and Yuan Dynasties becomes the basis for later works."Wenhui Painting" created by Emperor Huizong of Song depicts the scene of scholars' feast,which enlighten the painting of "Night Banquet" in Southern Song Dynasty.During Ming and Qing Dynasties,the number of "Literati Gathering" paintings reaches the climax.There are a large number of paintings representing traditional themes,and the painters are bold and innovative to add their own painting language and create lots of literati gathering paintings with different themes.This thesis,namely "Research on 'Literati Gathering' Paintings of Ming Dynasty",focuses mainly on literati gathering paintings of Ming Dynasty and analyzes the features of this theme,artistic characteristics and subjects of literati gatherings,which are the social situations of men of letters.By collecting,sorting and comparing the painting data and integrating the forms of paintings,features and causes of brush and ink language as well as painters' thoughts and feelings,this thesis discusses the relations between the related political,economical and social factors and paintings to find out the actual social functions and academic values behind the figure paintings at this time.Some conclusions are drawn in this thesis:the paintings of "Literati Gathering" in the Ming Dynasty show the characteristics of idealization,pleasing and seclusion;the authors of "Literati Gathering" are mainly from the scholar class,but there are obvious changes in the literati stylization of court painters and professional painters as well as merchants' pursuit for literati stylization and even seclusion;the secularization and professionalization of literati painters are also intensively reflected in this subject.Therefore,the depiction of "literati gathering" paintings in the Ming Dynasty relates to the broad meaning of the social spirit and the artistic expression close to the life,shows the true appearance of its representative significance,and confirms that the new changes and features in content,theme and function of "literati gathering" at that time are mainly due to the influence of social politics,economy and culture on the survival of literati.Rereading the "Literati Gathering" paintings of Ming Dynasty is facing some academic contents that may be ignored and simplified in art history and treating the special aesthetic style,creative theme and context as well as the way of humanistic and emotional expression in that period with a more objective attitude so as to provide a new perspective for the study of "Literati Gathering" paintings.