Beyond Mimesis: Naturalistic Representation and Literati Ideals in Flower-and-Bird Paintings of the Nanjing Museum

Abstract

Throughout its millennia-long development, traditional Chinese bird-and-flower painting has consistently grappled with the dialectical proposition of “representing nature” versus “expressing ideals,” a theme that has manifested in complex interactive forms across different eras of artistic practice. As a major repository of masterpieces in this genre, the Nanjing Museum houses a comprehensive collection that bears witness to the evolving trajectory of this artistic proposition. This study takes the bird-and-flower paintings in the Nanjing Museum as its core research objects, systematically analyzing how naturalistic representation and literati ideals are embodied in these works, and exploring the inherent interdependence and mutual reinforcement between the two. The study aims to transcend the superficial understanding of bird-and-flower painting as merely “imitating nature,” revealing its artistic qualities that go beyond resemblance to form, while uncovering the literati spirit and cultural connotations underlying these works. In doing so, it provides a new scholarly perspective and theoretical reference for grasping the artistic essence of traditional Chinese bird-and-flower painting, while also offering insights for contemporary artistic creation and cultural inheritance.