Zhang Yanyuan
Encyclopedia
Zhang Yanyuan courtesy name Aibin (爱宾), was a Chinese
art historian, scholar, calligrapher and painter
of the late Tang Dynasty
.
and calligraphy
, among them Fashu Yaolu (法書要錄, "Compendium of Calligraphy"), a collection of poems on color paper, and Lidai Minghua Ji (歷代名畫記, "Famous Paintings through History") - a general arts book, about the famous historical paintings. Zhang created his own style of art history writing, combining historical facts and art critic
. His book also described the painter's lives thoroughly, including biography and works.
Zhang's art theory consists of several distinctive features:
He agreed with the theory of Xie He that art had moral and political functions. Zhang also stressed the importance of originality and creativity in painting, opposing stereotyped painting styles. The painter's background also had a great influence on the painting.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
art historian, scholar, calligrapher and painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of the late Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
.
Biography
Zhang was born to a high ranking family in present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi. He wrote several works about artArt
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and calligraphy
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
, among them Fashu Yaolu (法書要錄, "Compendium of Calligraphy"), a collection of poems on color paper, and Lidai Minghua Ji (歷代名畫記, "Famous Paintings through History") - a general arts book, about the famous historical paintings. Zhang created his own style of art history writing, combining historical facts and art critic
Art critic
An art critic is a person who specializes in evaluating art. Their written critiques, or reviews, are published in newspapers, magazines, books and on web sites...
. His book also described the painter's lives thoroughly, including biography and works.
Zhang's art theory consists of several distinctive features:
He agreed with the theory of Xie He that art had moral and political functions. Zhang also stressed the importance of originality and creativity in painting, opposing stereotyped painting styles. The painter's background also had a great influence on the painting.