Awards

This thesis offers a comprehensive examination of Ni Zan 倪瓒 (1306-1374)'s life experiences and artistic practice, shedding light on the intricate and dynamic process of artistic creation and its profound connection to everyday life and social interactions. Through a contextual approach, the thesis challenges conventional art-historical narratives that portray Ni Zan as a reclusive scholar-artist, emphasizing his active engagement within social networks. Chapter One reevaluates Ni Zan's artistic practice from the perspective of daily life, starting with a critical analysis of the painting Six Gentlemen. It argues the misinterpretation of political and moral themes in later generations and explores the perception of nature through Ni Zan's experiences of boat travel. The chapter emphasizes the rootedness of Ni Zan's art in everyday practices such as food, drink, housing, and elegant gatherings, and elucidates the intricate interactions between the artist, recipients of the paintings, and the audience. Chapter Two delves deeper into the discussion of the ‘thatched pavilion (hut)’ motif in Ni Zan's paintings. It examines the construction of this motif through literary and visual languages preceding Ni Zan's time and explores its social attributes in shaping Ni Zan's public image and constructing his social network. Chapter Three focuses on the correspondence related to Ni Zan, unveiling the motivations behind his artworks and analyzing the dissemination of art historical concepts and knowledge. By studying Ni Zan's letters, the chapter reconstructs his daily life, social networks, and artistic activities. It also investigates the social functions of Ni Zan's artworks, particularly their reciprocal function within his social networks. Chapter Four explores Ni Zan's collaborative paintings. By analyzing the paintings, inscriptions, and colophons, the chapter uncovers insights into collaborative art production, division of labor, and multiple interpretations. It reveals how the artworks embody collective cultural identity and consensus in terms of art historical knowledge and concepts. Chapter Five investigates the shaping and perception of Ni Zan's art in later generations. It examines how subsequent artists drew inspiration from Ni Zan's style, forms, and techniques. The roles of original works, copies, fenben, painting manuals, and reduced copies in imitating Ni Zan's art are explored. Furthermore, the chapter analyzes the symbolic role of Ni Zan's artworks in terms of social status and cultural capital, considering their valuation and positioning within social and artistic hierarchies.