Chinese Buddhist Painting

Lydia Tomasi

Background/ History• Buddhism is a nontheistic religion which originated

in India in 5th century b.c.– Life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama

• Religious faith lead to artistic depictions of Buddhist beliefs and Buddha himself

• Transition to China: – The Silk Road, Buddhist missionary efforts

• Buddhism gained popularity in China as Chinese artists were experimenting with paint and scrolls

Origins in China• Earliest recorded works—created in the Han

dynasty during the reign of Emperor Ming in Eastern China

• These works were spread across the nation and other artists began to create similar paintings

• First representative artists included:–Dai Kui, Gu Kaizhi, Cao Zhongda, and Zhang

Sengyao

Gu Kaizhi

• Known as the founder of traditional Chinese painting• Incorporated the importance of nature and movement that is seen in the

Buddhist belief system• Painted subjects as they truly were• Nymph of the Luo River

Cao Buxing• Lived in the Eastern Wu Dynasty (220-265 ad) under

the rule of Sun Quan• Paintings are well known for depicting animals such

as dragons and horses as well as human portraits• Highly realistic, paintings are said to have “come to

life”.• There is a myth that he could paint the figure of

Buddha in exact proportions on a silk scroll without a single mistake

Cao Buxing, third century AD

Zhang Sengyou• Liang Southern Dynasty (505-557 AD)• Highly praised for his art by emporer Liang Wu• Most of his existing paintings are murals

similar to fresco• Intelligent use of color and three dimensions• Well known for depictions of powerful

animals, dragons, and peaceful human forms

Zhang Sengyou

Water Moon Style• Zhou Fang– Profound Chinese painter known for his court lady

paintings and depictions of Buddha

• Developed his own style for Buddha paintings called water-moon (shuiyue)

• Known for it’s soft brush work and dignified image

• Style used by following generations across China and Korea

Water-moon Abalokiteshvara, Goryeo dynasty

(918-1392)Unknown artist

Zhao Mengfu, Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)

Indian Monk in Red

Transition in Buddhist Painting

• Tang Dynasty (618-907) and earlier:–Paintings follow ideas of the old rule–More simple, singular figures

• After the Song Dynasty:–Buddhist paintings become flourished and

colorful–More experimental

Northern Song Dynasty, Late 10th/early 11th

century,Ink on silk

Ding Yunpeng (1547-1628)

• Painter during the Ming Dynasty

• Followed the style of Qui Ying of the

Song Dynasty

–Used pure and minute brush strokes for a

strong look

Ding Yunpeng (1547-1628)

Confucius, Lao-tzu, and Buddhist Arhat

Sweeping the White Elephant

Chinese-Buddhist

Landscape Paintings

Inquiring the way, Chen Jun, 1935

Scenery of Yandang Mountain,Qian Wiecheng of Qing Dynasty

Buddhist Painting in the Modern World

• Often more “trippy” than traditional styles• Use of more vibrant colors• Idealization of Buddha• Cartoon styles

Romio Shrestha, 1968

Li Lu, 1955

Mind Garden, Sofan Chan, 2011

The End