Literati Painting (Wenrenhua)
A style of Chinese painting by scholar-artists, focusing on personal expression and brushwork rather than realistic detail.
What is it?
Literati painting, or wenrenhua, was created by educated scholars who painted as a form of self-expression. They often painted landscapes, bamboo, and flowers. The goal was not to make a perfect copy of nature, but to show the artist's feelings and thoughts. Wen Zhengming was a famous literati painter. The child's reflection notes that Wen Zhengming was a legendary figure in Chinese painting, which aligns with the literati tradition. His painting of a country path reflects the literati ideal of expressing inner feelings through landscape.
Why it matters
Literati painting is a key part of Chinese art history. It shows that art can be about inner feelings, not just outer appearances.
Where you've seen it
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