GOURDS
This pattern depicts details from HKMoA’s priceless ink-wash art painting “Gourds” by world-revered Chinese master artist Qi Baishi.
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Qi Baishi's works are mostly based on things from his daily life, combining traditional brushwork of Chinese painting, resulting in works of literati interest and a distinctive folkloric atmosphere that is simple and sincere, which appeals to both refined and popular tastes. He uses gourds, which were common in his early life in the countryside, in his paintings, he applies thick ink and ochre to the leaves, with the ink dripping freely; he draws the vines with the tip of the brush, rigid and flexible, as if they were flying, showing overall Qi Baishi’s inheritance of Xu Wei, the master of expressive (xieyi) paintings in the Ming dynasty. The gourd is also finished with just a few strokes, and the vine yellow is bright and vibrant, forming a strong contrast with the ink leaves. The entire painting is done with the boneless (mogu) method, with refined brushwork and simple forms, not seeking to paint in detail, but rather using variations in brushwork and ink to achieve a sense of form, demonstrating Qi Baishi's pursuit of “a balance between resemblance and unlikeness”.
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Painting: "Gourds" by Qi Baishi (葫蘆)(齊白石)
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*This collection is collaborated by the Hong Kong Museum of Art and SPARKLE COLLECTION.
