Introduction to Fei Qinghu and Bunjinga Art Movement

Fei Qinghu was a Chinese painter who lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). He is known for his album of twenty scenes depicting moments from “In the Seventh Month,” a lengthy poem about the yearly agricultural cycle taken from China’s most ancient poetry collection, the Book of Odes (Shijing 詩經). The painting 'Odes of the State of Bin: The Seventh Month' is an excellent example of Bunjinga art movement.

Bunjinga Art Movement

Bunjinga, also known as literati painting or Nanga, is a style of Japanese painting that emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868). It was heavily influenced by Chinese literati painting and calligraphy, which emphasized individual expression and personal interpretation over technical skill. The Bunjinga Art Movement gained popularity among Japanese intellectuals and artists during the Edo period as it offered an alternative to more rigid styles of traditional Japanese painting.

The Painting 'Odes of the State of Bin: The Seventh Month'

The painting 'Odes of the State of Bin: The Seventh Month' by Fei Qinghu is a 30.5cm x 27.3cm silk painting created in 801. It depicts moments from “In the Seventh Month,” a lengthy poem about the yearly agricultural cycle taken from China’s most ancient poetry collection, the Book of Odes (Shijing 詩經). The artist used the bright blue-green mineral palette associated in Chinese painting with antiquity to create scenes of human labor in tune with the land: the reaping of crops in summer; the harvesting of ice in the winter; the performance of ritual offerings in the spring.

Conclusion

The painting 'Odes of the State of Bin: The Seventh Month' by Fei Qinghu is an excellent example of Bunjinga art movement, which emphasized individual expression and personal interpretation over technical skill. It reflects cultural changes and artistic movements during the Edo period in Japan and offers a glimpse into this unique and expressive art movement. Fei Qinghu:Odes of the State of Bin: The Seventh Month (30.5cm x 27.3cm,Silk,)
More details about Bunjinga Art Movement can be found here.