Daoism and Chinese Art

 

Scholar Viewing a Waterfall by Ma Yuan (active ca. 1190-1225)

Daoism is one of three major philosophies that has had a lasting impact on Chinese art and culture. The other two, Buddhism and Confucianism, are no less significant, and used similar methods of minimalism and austerity for expression. Chinese art was mostly meant to convey the message that the artist was of good character and relied on a mastery of brush strokes and simple tricks to express the artist's inner soul. (1)

Daoism's central dogma can be described as a universal order of two opposing forces. These forces are in a constant state of flux that keep the universe in balance. Daoism stresses the importance of living harmoniously with nature. The spontaneity of nature is divine and man's will should not be in opposition to it. Daoism began around 500 B.C.E. (2) By the time of the Song Dynasty, Daoism had not only grown, but it had converged into what is known as Neo-Confucianism, a combination of Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. (3) 

The image above is a Southern Song painting of a man, presumably a scholar, gazing down at a bubbling stream. Painted on a square album leaf, the composition is compressed into the bottom left corner. The empty corner is an allusion to the infinite beyond our reach. The brushstrokes are deliberate and expressive anchoring us to the reality of our finite world. (4) The illusion of depth is achieved through the harmonious use of light and dark washes as well as a mist-like background. There is a tranquility to the subject matter that is achieved through minimal detail. 

This painting is a great example of Daoism philosophy penetrating the arts. The expressive brushstrokes  convey a feeling of untamed energy surging through the canvas. The waterfall is alive and spewing from the mountain while a pine tree, against all odds, grows crooked and strong out of the hillside. Meanwhile, the serene man and woman observe silently. There is a sense of material detachment to this painting that is almost poetic. You can feel the balance of forces at work through the juxtaposition of the elements.

 

     Notes

    1. Cartwright, Mark, Ancient Chinese Art, Ancient EU, accessed October 21, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Chinese_Art/.

    2.   Philosophy of Taoism, Highbrow, accessed October 21, 2020, https://gohighbrow.com/philosophy-of-taoism/.

    3.  The Song Dynasty, Boundless Art History, accessed October 21, 2020, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/the-song-dynasty/.   

    4.  Kim, Hae Yeun, East Asian Cultural Exchange in Tiger and Dragon Paintings, The Met 150, accessed October 21, 2020, https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/tidra/hd_tidra.htm.