Various Subjects
Born into a family of physicians in Songjiang, near Shanghai, Cheng Shifa began studying traditional painting at Shanghai Art College in 1938. After the liberation he became a successful illustrator of children's books and taught at the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy, where he developed an eclectic style that combined traditional brushwork with Western drawing techniques using a pen.
Cheng is best known for his figural subjects, but this album, entitled In Search of the Delightful, shows off his broad command of subjects and techniques. A number of the leaves openly celebrate the 1976 downfall of Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong's notorious wife and leader of the Gang of Four, which strictly controlled culture. The Monkey-King Beats the White-Boned Demon depicts the beloved hero of the epic Journey to the West and intrepid defender of the faithful attacking the White-Boned Demon, to whom Jiang Qing was often compared.
Cheng is best known for his figural subjects, but this album, entitled In Search of the Delightful, shows off his broad command of subjects and techniques. A number of the leaves openly celebrate the 1976 downfall of Jiang Qing, Mao Zedong's notorious wife and leader of the Gang of Four, which strictly controlled culture. The Monkey-King Beats the White-Boned Demon depicts the beloved hero of the epic Journey to the West and intrepid defender of the faithful attacking the White-Boned Demon, to whom Jiang Qing was often compared.
Artwork Details
- 近代 程十髮 雜畫 冊頁十四開
- Title: Various Subjects
- Artist: Cheng Shifa (Chinese, 1921–2007)
- Date: dated 1978
- Culture: China
- Medium: Fan-shaped album of fourteen leaves; ink and color on Japanese paper
- Dimensions: 4 7/8 x 14 in. (12.4 x 35.6 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in memory of La Ferne Hatfield Ellsworth, 1986
- Object Number: 1986.267.435a–p
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Cheng Shifa
dated 1963
Cheng Shifa
dated 1979
Cheng Shifa
dated 1963
China
Stele: Song dynasty (960–1279), 960–68; rubbing: 20th century
Inoue Yūichi
1966
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