Qiu Ying’s Story Album

[Qiu Ying’s Character Story Album]

The People’s Story Album, written by Qiu Ying in the Ming Dynasty, is made of silk and colored, with each opening 41.4 cm vertically and 33.8 cm horizontally
The whole volume consists of ten volumes, which are based on historical stories, fables and legends, literary anecdotes and poetic implications. The specific contents are Zilu Wenjin, Princess Ming’s going out of the fortress, Princess Xiao makeup, the autumn water in South China, the wind pipe and the phoenix, the high mountains and the flowing water, the ancient bamboo yard, the six elegant pines, the Xunyang pipa, the picture of catching willows and flowers, etc. These themes have often been portrayed by painters in history, but Qiu Ying has injected his own talents and skills into his works in terms of conception, image creation and ink expression, showing a distinctive personality style
The theme of the work is clear and the idea is ingenious. Not only the details of the characters’ activities are clearly described, but also the contrast of the environment atmosphere is paid attention to, so that each painting page has a strong appreciation. For example, the page of “Princess Yang Xiaomakeup”, centered on Princess Yang’s mirror bun at the Duanzheng Building of the Huaqing Palace in the morning, presents the scenes of the maid playing music, picking flowers and carrying a lute in one picture, which focuses on the habits of the princess love peony, like hairpin flowers, good vocal music and good dress, and also summarizes the life content of the princess’s luxury and indulgence. Another example is the “high mountains and flowing water” page, which is based on the story of Boya’s guqin. While describing the specific plot of Yu Boya’s playing the piano at the grass pavilion, Zhong Ziqi’s stepping up, and the meeting of bosom friends, it also arranges the quiet and quiet environment of high mountains and waterfalls, pine forests and flowing water, which vividly expresses the music content of high mountains and flowing water, and also sets off the elegant sentiment of the characters, and creates a perfect scene with a symbolic approach
This atlas uses meticulous and heavy color method. The characters’ moods are described in detail, the literati’s manners are elegant and unrestrained, and the ladies’ looks are dignified and beautiful. The building utensils are neat and fine, and the shapes of rocks and trees are different. The brushwork is exquisite, smooth and natural, and firm and soft. The applied color is gorgeous, and the overall color is harmonious and elegant. The works have the artistic effect of appreciating both refined and popular tastes, which is the innovation and development of Qiu Ying’s meticulous painting method in Tang and Song dynasties.

《人物故事图》册·明妃出塞《人物故事图》册·贵妃晓妆《人物故事图》册·南华秋水《人物故事图》册·吹箫引凤《人物故事图》册·高山流水《人物故事图》册·竹院品古《人物故事图》册·松林六逸《人物故事图》册·浔阳琵琶《人物故事图》册·捉柳花图