The Classic of Filial Piety Analysis

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The Classic of Filial Piety is a highly influencial piece of art from acient China that many use, along other acient Chinese arts, to portray how art in China was effected by the beliefs and events surrounding the artist. However, not many mention on how it was a major factor in influencing China to accept painters and paintings as arts that could be used for artists to express themselves, thus being both affected by the current events and being the event that affected other arts. The Classic of Filial Piety was painted by Li Gonglin and is different than modern art, mixing both pictures and text. The art was painted in the Northern Song Dynasty, which lasted from 960 to 1279. China was in the later half of the Dynasty, as the painting is estimated to have been painted in 1085. During this period, there was many who wanted to return to classic systems of beliefs, which Li Gonglin included in his piece mixed in with modern elements.

The painting included classical elements and modern elements, in both meaning and strokes. The calligraphy is in archaic style, which influenced archaic to be the base style for preceeding paintings. The Classic of Filial Piety set a standard for following Chinese paintings, which included morals, archaic style, and scrolls. The archaic style Li uses is personalized and is more compacted than normal archaic lettering. Described by Maxwell K. Hearn as “an unadorned and highly individualistic style derived from archaic models that features characters with stubby squat forms, rectilinear configurations, or exaggerated componets”(Maxwell, 39). Archaic style was considered a past element, and many seen using it in the painting as wanting to return to simpler morals and virtues.

Paintings bef...

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...a power structure. The respect given to the superiours is then used to form structure, obediance, and balance in the relationship. If the superiour is not given enough respect then the structure can collaspe.

The Classic of Filial Piety by Li Gonglin in approxiametly 1085 is a turning point in Chinese art. The painting completely reformed China's view on art and confucianism. It earned a spot in neo-confucian canon. It also became credited with making painting a proper art form in China, creating a new era of art with meanings and symbolism in paintings.

Works Cited

Hearn, Maxwell K. How to Read Chinese Paintings. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2008. 38-47. Print.
Court, . ""The Cllassic of Filial Piety"." KindredSubjects. N.p., 27 Jun 2013. Web. 27 Mar 2014. .

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