Summary
In this chapter, the author skillfully explores the contrasting realms of Chinese and European art through the lens of two captivating stories. Our journey begins amidst the splendour of eighth-century China, where Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty commissions the gifted painter Wu Daozi to adorn a palace wall with his artistry.
As the Emperor gazes upon the wall's vibrant tableau, his attention initially fixates on the surface beauty. Yet, the perceptive painter redirects the Emperor's focus to a hidden cave nestled at the mountain's base. With a tantalising promise, the painter extends an invitation to reveal the secrets within.
Stepping into the depths of the cavern, the painter crosses its threshold, and with an almost magical gesture, the entrance seals shut behind him. A single clap of his hands acts as a catalyst, causing both the wall's painted scene and the artist himself to dissolve into the ether, leaving the Emperor in a state of wonder.
In another narrative strand, we encounter an artist wrestling with a whimsical notion, hesitating to depict the eye of a dragon lest the mythical creature spring to life and take flight. This tale, firmly rooted in the European artistic tradition, then unfolds to encompass a masterful Blacksmith who finds his heart captivated by the daughter of a fellow artist. However, their love faces an impediment – her father's disapproval due to the Blacksmith's humble trade.
Undeterred, the determined Blacksmith gains clandestine access to the painter's studio, where he ingeniously paints a lifelike fly onto the artist's latest creation. The fly's lifelike appearance is so convincing that the painter instinctively swats at it before realising it is an integral part of the artwork. This clever stratagem secures the Blacksmith's place as an apprentice in the painter's workshop.
A romance blossoms between the Blacksmith and the painter's daughter, culminating in marriage and the Blacksmith's emergence as one of the era's celebrated painters.
These stories illuminate the distinct artistic philosophies that underscore creative expression in disparate corners of the globe. In Europe, the artist strives to unveil a tangible perspective, channelling their vision into a visual plane accessible to the observer. The pursuit of perfection, meticulous representation, and the art of illusion define this approach.
In contrast, China's artistic paradigm eschews replication of the literal, instead harnessing the artist's inner voice and spiritual resonance to conjure abstract compositions. Embracing this sense of abstraction, the viewer embarks on an open-ended journey, entering the painting's portal from any vantage point and traversing realms guided by personal imagination.
Central to this concept is 'Shanshui,' a fusion of 'mountain' and 'water,' which, when interwoven, gives birth to the very essence of 'landscape.'
Theme
The chapter "Landscape of the Soul" discusses the differences between the Chinese and European views of art. The Chinese view is based on an imaginative, inner, or spiritual approach, while the European view aims to achieve a perfect illusionistic likeness. The Chinese painter wants the beholder to enter his mind, while the European painter wants the viewer to borrow his eyes. The chapter also discusses the importance of "outsider art," which is the art of untrained visionaries. Overall, the chapter highlights the importance of the spiritual and conceptual space in Chinese art and the active participation of the viewer.
