| Summary: | 碩士 === 中國文化大學 === 藝術研究所美術組碩士在職專班 === 92 === Pan Tianshou, an incisive art theorist and erudite education-alist, is one of the most eminent artists in modern Chinese
history.
The philosophy behind his paintings consists of three con-
cepts, “Tradition — history, literature, and calligraphy”, “Nature — environments, life, and scenery”, “Spirit — transcendence, rhyme, and elegance.” His comprehensive researches, knowledge, and experience were later integrated into poems, writings, painting and steal carvings, which exude his “complete personality.” His works are magnificent and awe-inspiring. In particular, the flower and bird paintings are pure and vigorous. The creativity in the skill, style, and colors radiates freshness. More important is the simple, natural and spiritual beauty embedded in his paintings. He showed the contemporaries the superior features of Chinese traditional paintings and the unique characteristics of Chinese culture.
As a prolific writer, he exerted great influence on the later generations through his lectures and publications. He asserted “distance between Chinese and western painting style”, opposing the westernization of Chinese paintings. Chinese painting should, he thought, develop and achieve its uniqueness, thereby surpassing western art on its own merits. The courage and professional attitude, which he showed when the western trend overwhelmingly challenged the Chinese traditions for the mainstream stand, earned him great respect from the people.
His clairvoyant opinions and noble character are still adored by people today, thirty-three years after he passed away — passing the test of time. It is the “pure and spiritual” message expressed in his paintings that gives me the greatest inspiration. I cannot even begin to understand the entire depth of his work, but hopefully I have been able to capture some essence of his soul.
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