On The Art Of Qian Xuan's Characteristic Of “Dan” In Aesthetics

Qian Xuan was a secluded artist living in the turbulent period in between the Song and Yuan Dynasties. His unique painting aesthetics and artistic spirit contributed a great deal to the transition of painting tradition in the Yuan Dynasty from imperial-court decorations to scholars' interests. With Qian Xuan's paintings and poems as the starting point and based on his secluded life, this paper proposes that the art of Qian Xuan is characteristic of “Dan”in aesthetics. That is to say, his works display a painting aesthetic ideal of “plainness and naturalness” as well as a life aspiration of “indifference to fame and wealth ”. The author attempts to further discuss the topic against the backdrop of artistic creation under the key aesthetic thoughts in the Song and Yuan Dynasties and put forward some novel perspectives.