As for paintings depicting the scenery of the West Lake, most of them prefer its colorful appearances, or glance of widow in wind, or blooming flowers all over the causeway which reflect in the waves of the lake. All those elements have captured the artists’ attention sensuously; so that could few artists have time to meditate on the graceful scenery, to harmonize their souls with the inner essence of surroundings. That could explain why many paintings that depict at will the ordinary scenes could be regarded as great works, but those painstaking works have fallen into the category of superficial resemblance to the West Lake. In this sense, the West Lake needs a truly understanding admirer.
Mr. Yan Shanchun ardently loves Tao Yuanming(ca.365-427)’s poems and cherishes the peacefulness exerted in Tao’s poetry. In Yan’s Paintings, the views of the West Lake are indistinct, distant and abstract, so that the quietness of the scenery has been achieved. He restricts himself in the usage of ink-wash, in order to remind the spectators of the impression of autumn lake and evening mist, or sky blue snow, or the first light of autumn Sun over the surface of the lake. The grand simplicity of Yan’s art parallels the artistic ideal of Gong Zizhen(1792-1841), who believes: The real beauty of a maid or a mountain could not be truly appreciated because of its mysterious serenity. It is not easy to classify Yan’s art as figurative or non-figurative, but I could not help thinking of his art having reached at ease the state of supreme serenity.
Each time on my visiting Shenzhen, I would seek to appreciate his paintings. Being fascinated by his art, I have often sensed his masterly painting skills and the grandeur of the calmness in his art. Others do not easily have the opportunity to share my enjoyment.
Above words welled up in my mind while I was taking a stroll along the West Lake; and the parallels between the beautiful scenery and Shanchun’s paintings inspired me to write it down. It is the blooming time for the water lotus in the lake, and I do have smelled its aroma.
Fan Jingzhong