Ding Yanyong: you hua quan ji

Abstract

"The early Republican era in China was a critical time for Chinese art when artists turned to Western modernism in the hopes of breathing life into what many considered a moribund and stagnant art tradition. Impressed by Western artists’ ability to depict nature convincingly, to reproduce things realistically, and to express human sentiment more directly, these reformists sought to invigorate their antiquated practices by appropriating Western aesthetics, which to many meant modernization. This volume enables readers to better understand the beginnings of Western-style art in China through a close look at Ting Yin Yung’s unique artistic language. Ting was one of the first to turn to his own cultural history to inform the Western-style paintings he, and others, aspired to master. Few were able to infuse oil paintings with Chinese primitive and archaic motifs, particularly oracle-bone script, as successfully as he. It is difficult to gauge the full extent of Ting’s impact and influence on modern and contemporary Chinese art, but we are in a position today to see how his vision, through both his art and his teachings, inspired and nurtured many"-- Provided by publisher.