Arts Studies and Criticism

During the late Yuan and early Ming periods in China, overall artistic thought and landscape painting concepts continued to be influenced by the Four Masters of the Yuan Dynasty. The artistic philosophy proposed by the renowned Yuan painter Ni Zan — "Seek not to capture outward resemblance, but to find self-amusement" — was widely revered throughout society. Amid this trend, Wang Li — a physician who studied painting in his spare time — first learned from ancient masters of previous dynasties before pursuing his own style. He explored the relationship between "form" and "meaning" in landscape painting and emphasized sketching from real scenes. This approach represented a breakthrough and innovation in the context of his era. Guided by reverence for traditional landscape painting and a passion for art history, this study examines Wang Lyu's cultural context, artistic theories, creative practices, and the influence of his ideas on later generations and their implications for our own landscape painting studies and creation. Employing research methods such as literature review, case analysis, artwork appreciation, and iconography, it explores the creative concepts and insights Wang Lyu offers us. The aim is to deepen our understanding of ancient artistic philosophies, thereby enhancing our painting cultivation and promoting the excellence of traditional culture.