COLLECTION NAME:
National Palace English
Record
Work ID:
M01E00189
Title:
An Immortal
Creation Date:
Song Dynasty
Start Year Date:
A.D.960
End Year Date:
A.D.1279
Dynasty:
39 Song Dynasty (A.D. 960~1279)
Creator:
Lia Kai
Creation Place:
China
Measurements:
48.7 x 27.7 cm
Material:
Ink on paper
Form:
Ce-ye (album leaf)
Type:
Painting
Subject:
Figure
Repository:
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
Description:
Liang Kai paints with a large brush and wet ink. From the figure's shoulder to the lower hem of his robe, his powerful brush and resonant ink take flight with the explosive power of thunder and lightning. In the entire work with scarcely ten brush lines, an immortal appears who squints as he smiles. The simple brushwork amply expresses the gracious temperament of an immortal. Finished in a fraction of a second, the painting is in fact the result of years of diligent practice. Liang Kai uses wine to loosen his powers of artistic creation. When the wine is consumed, his intentions spill forth. Without hesitation and completely uninhibited, his paintings are a most authentic expression of self. This abbreviated painting style, also called "ink-play" bears a close relationship to Chan Buddhism. Liang Kai is an important figure in Chan painting. The traces of a wine-induced fervor, An Immortal, is rich in Chan meaning.
ImageV ID:
M01E00189AS005
Rights:
Lee & Lee Communications