Heritage And Transformation

Wang Mian(??)'s art has transformed Chinese Ink Plum Blossom Painting after the Yuan period and lead a profound influence in the evolution of Chinese Scholar Painting.His paintings preserved the traditions of Scholar Painting from the Song period,and previewed the dawning of a new era of“full blossom with intricate pistil and stamen”depiction during the Ming and Qing period.In the first chapter,this study traces the master's artistic repertoire,its origins and periodical styles as the foundation to preserve his art.Based on the traditions of Yang Wujiu(???),his disciples and close followers in the Southern Song period,Wang Mian's endeavour evolved into more intricate design and layouts.Distinctively rendered in spontaneous and minimalistic brushstrokes,two distinctive representation of sparing branches and full blossom emerged.The second chapter analyses Plum Blossom paintings by the artists of Wang Mian's generation.From the comparison of diverse styles,the thesis draws a visual analogue to evaluate and differentiate the master's art.The third chapter attempts to survey and qualify the list of paintings under the master's name in the worldwide collection of his works.Through the writer's lens,the study shreds light on some of the fraudulent works in museum collections: “Ink Plum Blossom” Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art,United States.“Ink Plum” Yale University Art Gallery,United States.“Fragrant Snow at Broken Bridge” Metropolitan Museum of Art,United States.“Ink Plum Blossom” Tokyo National Museum,Japan.“Valley of Early Spring” Palace Museum,Taiwan.“Three Gentlemen*” The Palace Museum,China.“Poem in Running Script” Shanghai Library Museum.This study also looks into the authenticity of quasi-original works which sparked controversy over the years,namely: “A Prunus in the Moonlight” Cleveland Museum of Art,United States.“Plum and Bamboo” by Wang Mian and Wu Zhen,Palace Museum,Taiwan.To its end,this thesis seeks to provide objective insights to establish a new standard to determine Wang Mian's true creations.* Three Gentleman refers to Plum,Orchid and Bamboo in Chinese aesthetic of art.