Flower & Bird Freehand Paintings by Great Masters

This set of books features the artworks of carefully selected artists, some of the most important and influential figures in the world of oriental art. Designed for those who enjoy using these masterpieces as a framework for study and practice, the books are presented in the form of large postcards, allowing each page to be easily used and appreciated individually.

🍀 Details

• 15 books from 11 artists
• Publisher: 浙江摄影出版社
• Size: About 26.5cm x 37.3cm
• Number of pages: 24 (paintings) x 15 (books)

🍀 Artist Introduction

1. Qi Baishi (齐白石) was one of the most influential Chinese painters of the 20th century, known for his unique and expressive style that bridged traditional and modern Chinese art. His painting style is characterized by bold, lively brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and a playful yet profound depiction of everyday subjects like shrimp, insects, flowers, and landscapes. Qi’s work emphasizes simplicity and spontaneity, capturing the essence and spirit of his subjects rather than intricate details. His distinctive approach, often blending realism with an impressionistic flair, brought a fresh, dynamic energy to traditional Chinese ink painting.
2. Pan Tianshou (潘天寿) was a distinguished modern Chinese painter and art educator, celebrated for his bold and innovative approach to traditional Chinese painting. His style is marked by powerful, sweeping brushstrokes and a strong sense of composition, often featuring dramatic contrasts between solid forms and empty spaces. Pan’s works commonly depict rugged landscapes, towering rocks, and robust plants like lotuses and orchids, all infused with a sense of grandeur and vitality. He skillfully combined the strength and simplicity of traditional ink painting with a modern aesthetic, creating art that exudes both elegance and a striking, monumental quality.
3. Wu Changshuo (吴昌硕) was a prominent painter, calligrapher, and seal carver of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. He is best known for his Flower-and-Bird paintings, which are celebrated for their robust and vigorous style. Wu’s art features bold, expressive brushwork and a rich use of color, often blending vibrant reds and deep blacks to create striking visual impact. He drew inspiration from traditional literati painting but infused it with an energetic, almost calligraphic quality that reflects his background in seal carving. His works exude a sense of strength and spontaneity, embodying a fusion of painting, calligraphy, and seal script that gives his art a dynamic, harmonious character.
4. Lu Yifei (陆抑非) was a renowned modern Chinese painter known for his exquisite Flower-and-Bird paintings. His style is characterized by elegance and refinement, blending traditional techniques with a sense of poetic beauty. Lu’s work often features meticulous brushwork and a subtle, harmonious use of color, capturing the delicate details of flowers, birds, and insects with a gentle yet vivid touch. His compositions convey a sense of tranquility and grace, reflecting a deep appreciation for nature’s simplicity and charm. Lu Yifei’s art stands out for its balance between meticulous realism and the expressive spirit of classical Chinese painting.
5. Li Kuchan (李苦禅) was a distinguished Chinese painter and art educator, celebrated for his bold and expressive Flower-and-Bird paintings. Influenced by both traditional Chinese painting and modern artistic concepts, his style is known for its powerful, sweeping brushstrokes and dynamic compositions. Li often painted subjects like eagles, lotuses, and bamboo, infusing them with a sense of strength and vitality. His work emphasizes the use of forceful, fluid lines and dramatic contrasts between ink and white space, creating a sense of movement and energy. Li Kuchan’s paintings exude a rugged, spirited quality, capturing the essence of his subjects with a blend of passion and poetic intensity.
6. Tang Yun (唐云) was a celebrated modern Chinese painter, known for his Flower-and-Bird and landscape paintings that radiate a sense of grace and fluidity. His style is characterized by elegant, free-flowing brushwork and a delicate yet expressive use of color. Tang Yun’s paintings often capture the subtle beauty of nature, with subjects like plum blossoms, bamboo, and river scenes, all rendered with a light, lyrical touch. His work reflects a mastery of traditional Chinese painting techniques, yet he imbued his art with a modern sensibility, emphasizing spontaneity and a poetic atmosphere. Tang Yun’s ability to convey simplicity and charm while preserving depth and vitality makes his art both timeless and evocative.
7. Ren Bonian (任伯年) was a prominent painter of the late Qing Dynasty and a key figure of the Shanghai School (海派). Ren Bonian was celebrated for his versatility, excelling in portraits, figures, Flower-and-Bird paintings, and landscapes. His style seamlessly combined the elegance of traditional literati painting with vibrant, lifelike depictions inspired by folk art and Western techniques. Known for his fluid brushwork and lively compositions, he captured the spirit and character of his subjects with expressive lines and bright, harmonious colors. Ren Bonian’s innovative approach left a significant impact on modern Chinese painting, making him one of the most influential artists of his time.
8. Huang Binhong (黄宾虹) was a renowned 20th-century Chinese painter, art theorist, and one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese landscape painting. His style evolved significantly over his lifetime, from finely detailed and traditional landscapes to a bold, abstract, and expressive approach in his later years. Huang’s mature works are characterized by dense, layered brushstrokes, a rich interplay of ink tones, and an almost calligraphic use of line, creating a sense of depth and movement. His paintings often emphasize the spiritual essence of the landscape rather than precise representation, embodying a profound connection between nature and artistic expression. Huang Binhong’s innovative techniques and deep understanding of traditional art have left a lasting legacy, shaping the development of modern Chinese painting.
9. Yun Shouping (恽寿平) was one of the most celebrated painters of the early Qing Dynasty and a leading figure of the Six Masters of the Qing Dynasty. He is best known for his delicate and elegant Flower-and-Bird paintings, which were primarily done in the gongbi (meticulous) style. Yun’s work is characterized by soft, harmonious colors and refined, graceful lines that capture the gentle beauty of flowers and plants. Unlike his contemporaries who focused more on landscapes, Yun Shouping devoted himself to flower painting, elevating it to new heights by emphasizing naturalistic details and a poetic, serene atmosphere. His art embodies a sense of purity and tranquility, reflecting his deep appreciation for nature’s subtleties and establishing him as a master of the genre.
10. Wu Fuzhi (吴茀之, 1900–1977) was a distinguished Chinese painter and art educator, renowned for his contributions to modern Chinese painting. Wu excelled in Flower-and-Bird paintings, characterized by bold brushwork and vibrant colors, reflecting a harmonious blend of traditional techniques and modern sensibilities. His works often depict natural subjects with a dynamic and expressive style, capturing the essence and spirit of his subjects. As an educator, Wu Fuzhi played a significant role in nurturing a new generation of artists, emphasizing the importance of innovation while respecting traditional artistic values. His legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary Chinese art.
11. Lai Chusheng (来楚生, 1903–1975) was a distinguished Chinese artist renowned for his mastery in painting, calligraphy, and seal carving. Lai’s artistic journey began with formal training at the Shanghai Art Academy, where he studied under prominent artists such as Pan Tianshou. His painting style is characterized by its simplicity and elegance, often depicting flowers, birds, and insects with a refined and expressive touch.