Thematic Study Of Gongbi Bird-and-flower Painting By Yu Feian

As a leading figure in the Chinese gongbi bird-and-flower painting in the 20th Century,Yu Feian revitalized this style of painting,which had witnessed a gradual declination since the Song Dynasty,and himself fostered a large group of students,who altogether had contributed a lot to the development of the Chinese gongbi bird-and-flower painting.The bottleneck of gongbi bird-and-flower painting creation lies in its thematic matters:how to use the masters' experience for further innovation.For this purpose,a profound study on Yu Feian's paintings will surely be proved insightful for its variety of theme and rich meanings.The methods used in this paper include literature method,works analytical method and graphology and the like.The paper includes the following major points.First,a brief introduction to Yu Feian is given,both as a person and a painter.The author also gives a description of the development background for bird-and-flower painting styles from three perspectives,say,the new fashion emerged in the field of painting from the end of the Qing Dynasty to the beginning of the Republic of China(1912-1949),the Chinese western cultural conflict and Beijing Painting society.On a traditional nationality cultural footing,Yu Feian strives to carry on and innovate the painting themes and techniques of gongbi bird-and-flower painting.Then there is a comment on his creation stages and the stylistic characteristics of bird-and-flower painting.Secondly,a category study on some related theme is given,which constitutes the focal part of the paper.Thematic matters like pigeons,peonies,lotus,insects and worms,and magpies are introduced.Thirdly,the cultural connotations featured by the painter's imprecation for peace,wish for a more powerful country,and eternal love for traditional culture,behind these themes are analyzed.Lastly,a reason is offered.The author points out its relation with traditional Thematic choice,the way of sketch in painting and the new political environmental effect.fourthly,an analysis of the influences and lesson of bird-and-flower painting is given from four perspectives:people's highly appraisal,Yu style painting's emergence,and its achievement and revitalization of bird-and-flower paintings.Through this study,the author aims at furthering studies on Yu Feian,paving a way for a better future for this painting.It is also attempted to help better the thematic expansion so that the current painters may improve their way of painting.