dc.description.abstract | The researches about Xu Wei (1521-1593) ’s painting at present are mostly focusing on his flower-and-bird genre with freehand brushwork and discussing his painting theories, free stroke style, and automatism, etc. In other parts, concerning with Xu Wei’s literary works, such as poetries on the painting, calligraphy, and dramas. Generally speaking, Xu Wei is inside the circle of literati, furthermore, flower-and-bird genre with freehand brushwork is also showing literati’s “elegance.” But when we observe Xu Wei’s figure paintings which haven’t been paid much attention to, we can realize the aspect of “vulgarity” different from his flower-and-bird genre. This aspect of Xu Wei, seems to be much closer to the opinions of the people at that time. Consequently, the paper employs Xu Wei’s figure paintings as studying target, and intends to add other respect to the researches of Xu Wei at present.
Observing Xu Wei’s poetries and articles, regardless of self behavior, the relations with other people, and calligraphy and painting, frequently, we can see some discussion about distinguishing elegance from vulgarity and emphasizing “not to be vulgar” on everything. But in reality, he participates in some mundane and folk activities from time to time, showing the enthusiasm for the above-mentioned, and emerging the contradictory between elegance and vulgarity. The vulgarity of Xu Wei’s figure paintings presents on the subject and the brushwork, which means, on the one hand, he prefers folk subjects, on the other, he pursues the lively atmosphere of the folk. With regard to the album of paintings which contains the quality of intimate relationship, Xu Wei chooses the subject matters about his hometown, this aspect shows his recognition toward Shao Xing, because of the recognition, it qualified him for the assignment of editing Kuai Ji Xian Zhi《會稽縣志》. | en_US |