Analysis of the painting Clear Water and Green Mountains by Baisong Wang
Biographical elements : Baisong Wang , born in 1952, is a Chinese artist who knew how to combine Chinese pictorial traditions with modern oil painting techniques. After his studies at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, he devoted himself to the representation of Chinese landscapes, in particular mountains and rivers, which he treats with a poetic and spiritual approach, always imbued with respect for the nature.
Technical Analysis : In "Clear Water and Green Mountains" , Baisong Wang uses bright colors and an impasto technique to create a dense, rich texture that brings the landscape to life. Oil paint is applied in thick layers, particularly to vegetation and rocks, giving a sense of movement and depth. Shades of green and blue dominate the composition. They evoke the purity of nature. The blue sky and the sparkling water of the stream add luminosity to the work. It creates a striking contrast with the towering rocks and mountains in the background. The texture of the waves and currents is rendered by rapid and energetic brushstrokes which reinforce the impression of vitality of the landscape.
Stylistic analysis : The work lies on the border of realism and expressionism. Natural shapes – mountains, trees and waterways, are recognizable and are dynamically rendered. The use of impasto and broad brushstrokes give a tactile aspect to the painting, where each element seems animated by a natural force. The landscape is structured to guide the viewer's eye along the river and then towards the mountains, which blend into the sky. The light of the composition illuminates certain details while leaving others in shadow, thus creating a subtle play between light and shadow.
The influence of traditional Chinese style : The very title of the painting, “Clear Water and Green Mountains ,” echoes an ancient Chinese expression that celebrates the natural beauty and purity of the environment. In Chinese artistic tradition, mountains and water are often symbols of longevity and fluidity, essential concepts in Taoist philosophy. Here, Baisong Wang draws inspiration from classical Chinese landscapes, where nature is seen as a space for meditation and harmony. Typical of this tradition is the attention paid to mountains, with their imposing and serene presence, and to water, a symbol of life and movement. However, the oil technique, with its thick textures and intense colors, brings a contemporary touch to this traditional vision.
Symbolic Analysis : The mountains in “Clear Water and Green Mountains” represent stability, strength and eternity, while the water, fluid and moving, symbolizes change and the passage of time. The coexistence of these two elements in the composition reflects the philosophy of yin and yang, where opposing forces complement each other to create harmony. The deep blue of the water evokes purity, while the touches of green in the vegetation and the mountains recall the vitality and renewal of nature. The whole painting can be seen as an ode to nature and how it can inspire the human spirit to find peace and balance.
