A Study On Wang Shimin's Late Years

This thesis is an attempt to rediscover and understand the life and arts of Wang Shimin's late years through case studies based on several original historical materials.These materials include letters,poems,colophons and paintings by Wang Shimin,as well poems and chronicle of his sons,etc.The thesis consists of five chapters.Chapter one discusses his family financial situation in mid 17th century.While the turbulence caused by the change of dynasty and the reform of the tax code was blamed for the economical decline of the Wang Family in recent studies,our study shows that Shimin himself held the main responsibility for such decline.Chapter Two deals with his social life in the new dynasty,under the straitened circumstances,both financially and politically,focusing on his association with the new rich and new power.How he used the relationship to sustain and protect his family will be discussed in the chapter.The influence of Wang's collection to the style of landscape painting in early Qing Dynasty is studied in Chapter Three.Summer Mist along the Lake Shore by Zhao Lingrang(act.Late 11th century-early 12th century)is used as an example for discussion.The relationship of Wang Shimin and Wang Hui has been described as mentor-disciple and friends in the traditional Chinese painting history as well as recent studies,however,the rise of new wealthy clients and the increase of Wang Hui's reputation as a successful painter had changed this relationship into a more commercial one.This will be discussed in Chapter Four based on Shimin's letters.The seven letters written by Shimin to Wang Hui is an important material in the art history and it has not been fully published and interpreted.In Chapter Five,we date the letters written years as well as interpret names mentioned in the letters.Based on the information provided in these letters,we also discovered that the birth year of Wang Jian,Shimin's close friend and equally well-known painter,was recorded wrongly in the official text books.The correct birth year will be given in this chapter as well.