Chinese Watercolors

by Josef Hejzlar

Dust cover shows age. Beautiful photographs of some amazing art!

Genres: Art

70 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Tiia]

Quote from page 37 "How to look at these pictures":

Looking at pictures is not a ritual, and the Chinese were never inclined that way. They unfolded their scrolls whenever they felt the need - at moments of "tê-i, fullness of heart and mental ease, or in honour of their guests. Naturally, the suspending of a scroll required the atmosphere of a cultured setting and, it should be stressed, the correct light conditions. An educated Chinese would have thought it barbaric to look at a Chinese picture in full daylight, or even in the sun. Sharp light decomposes ink and colour, lessening their brilliance and depth, and imprints upon the ink the dirty hue of ash. Only in deep shadow is the noble beauty of ink and colour revealed. The best time to study scrolls is dusk, when the colours are lit up and the ink gives forth its velvety deep and light values. This principle remains valid even for artificial light, though candles are recommended rather than electric light"

I love this reminder of finding beauty in the shadows.

Now I have the need to move my hand across these. Engaging the movement, really sensing the shift of values and the negative space. So meditative. Feeling the connection. And looking like a sorceress...

[Eric]

I just bought this for £1 in an amnesty charity shop and think it is easily a 5 star find. I will probably give it to an artist friend. Anyone interested in art and landscape paainting/and/or Chinese art will love it and practising artists may find it is a bit of an influence!

[Commander Law]

This is something I'll have to try.

[James]

Covers the modern Shanghai school of art, many older books on the subject don't touch one this at all. Good for artists interest in more modern Chinese art.