Li cheng

Definition

Li cheng, or 'principle of order,' refers to the underlying structure and composition in Chinese landscape painting that seeks to harmonize natural elements into a coherent whole. This concept is particularly significant in Song Dynasty painting, where artists aimed to convey philosophical ideas about nature and humanity's place within it, often emphasizing balance and tranquility in their compositions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Li cheng reflects the philosophical ideas of harmony and balance, integral to both Confucianism and Daoism, which were influential during the Song Dynasty.
2. In landscape paintings, li cheng emphasizes the arrangement of elements like mountains, water, and trees to create a sense of perspective and depth.
3. The concept encourages artists to create compositions that evoke feelings of serenity and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature.
4. Li cheng also plays a crucial role in bird-and-flower genres, where the arrangement of flora and fauna conveys symbolic meanings related to life and nature's cycles.
5. Song Dynasty painters often used li cheng to integrate their personal experiences and emotions into their work, creating a deeper connection between the viewer and the artwork.

Review Questions

• How does the principle of li cheng influence the composition of landscape paintings during the Song Dynasty?
  • Li cheng serves as a guiding principle for the arrangement of natural elements in landscape paintings, ensuring that all components work together harmoniously. Artists focused on balancing features such as mountains, rivers, and trees to create a cohesive composition that evokes feelings of tranquility. This approach not only enhances visual appeal but also aligns with philosophical ideas about humanity's connection to nature.
• Discuss how li cheng is represented in both landscape and bird-and-flower genres in Song Dynasty painting.
  • In landscape painting, li cheng is evident through the careful placement of natural elements that create depth and perspective while evoking a sense of harmony. In the bird-and-flower genre, this principle manifests through the arrangement of flora and fauna to symbolize life cycles and emotional states. Both genres utilize li cheng to encourage reflection on nature's beauty and complexity.
• Evaluate the impact of Confucian ideals on the artistic expression of li cheng in Song Dynasty painting.
  • Confucian ideals significantly shaped the expression of li cheng in Song Dynasty art by promoting themes of harmony, morality, and introspection. Artists infused their work with these values by creating compositions that not only depicted nature but also conveyed deeper philosophical messages about human existence. The emphasis on balance and order in art mirrored Confucian principles, fostering a cultural environment where art served as a medium for ethical reflection and personal contemplation.

Related terms

Shan shui: A genre of traditional Chinese painting that depicts landscapes using brush techniques that emphasize the natural beauty of mountains and water.

Xieyi: A style of Chinese painting that focuses on expressive brushwork and spontaneous expression, contrasting with more detailed and realistic approaches.

Confucianism: A philosophical system based on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing ethics, family loyalty, and respect for authority, which influenced the moral undertones in Song Dynasty art.