CBSE Class 11 · English · Hornbill / Snapshots
Landscape of the Soul
Chapter summary, hard words and model exam answers for Class 11 English.
Free online summary and notes (Class 11 English). Read it here, no PDF download needed.
About the author
Nathalie Trouveroy (essay comparing Chinese and European art traditions). It discusses Wu Daozi's disappearing painting, the concept of shanshui, and contrasts Western illusionistic art with Eastern spiritual landscapes.
Summary
Tang artist Wu Daozi showed the Tang emperor a landscape he had just finished - then clapped his hands and the painting vanished into mist, leaving only blank silk.
Tang artist Wu Daozi showed the Tang emperor a landscape he had just finished - then clapped his hands and the painting vanished into mist, leaving only blank silk.
The story illustrates that Chinese masters painted the inner life of landscapes, not mere outer likeness.
The story illustrates that Chinese masters painted the inner life of landscapes, not mere outer likeness.
Shanshui means mountain-water - the Daoist vision of two complementary poles of the universe.
Shanshui means mountain-water - the Daoist vision of two complementary poles of the universe.
The human figure is tiny in shanshui; man contemplates nature rather than conquering it.
The human figure is tiny in shanshui; man contemplates nature rather than conquering it.
Renaissance artists like Holbein and the story of Quinten Metsys show Western pursuit of perfect illusion and perspective.
Renaissance artists like Holbein and the story of Quinten Metsys show Western pursuit of perfect illusion and perspective.
Northern European painters depicted peasants and daily life realistically - a different "landscape" of the visible world.
Northern European painters depicted peasants and daily life realistically - a different "landscape" of the visible world.
Hard words & meanings
| shanshui | mountain-water painting |
| illusion | false appearance of depth |
| perspective | depth on flat surface |
| contemplation | deep quiet thought |
| Daoism | Chinese philosophy of the Way |
| Renaissance | European rebirth of arts |
Model exam answers, grammar & audio
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