THE LIFE AND WORKS OF WU YUSHAN吴漁山的生平及其著作
This article examines the life and legacy of Wu Yushan (Wu Li, 1632–1718), a renowned scholar-painter and pivotal figure in the history of cultural exchange between China and the West during the Ming-Qing transition. Drawing on genealogical records, such as the "Preface to the Wu Family Tree," and h...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
January 2005
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40013/2322 |
| Summary: | This article examines the life and legacy of Wu Yushan (Wu Li, 1632–1718), a renowned scholar-painter and pivotal figure in the history of cultural exchange between China and the West during the Ming-Qing transition. Drawing on genealogical records, such as the "Preface to the Wu Family Tree," and historical chronicles, the author reconstructs Wu’s development within the context of his prestigious but declining scholarly lineage in Changshu. The study details Wu’s early biography, tracing the influence of his ancestors—notably the prominent Ming officials Wu Na and Wu Tang—and the personal hardships that shaped his youth, including the early loss of his father and the socio-political upheaval following the Manchu conquest.
Central to the narrative is Wu’s multifaceted identity as "Mojing Daoren" (the Ink-well Daoist) and his mastery of traditional Chinese aesthetics. The article explores how his artistic practice, particularly his landscape and "bamboo and rock" paintings, reflects both his classical training and his later transformative experiences. A significant focus is placed on Wu’s sojourn in Macao, a period that facilitated his deep engagement with Western scholarship and Catholicism. By synthesizing biographical detail with art historical analysis, the author argues that Wu Yushan represents a unique intersection of Chinese literati culture and early modern global exchange, positioning his works as essential artifacts of Sino-Western intellectual synthesis. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |