Dr. Lü Peng(吕澎), an esteemed art historian, art critic, and curator, has dedicated his career to the study of art theory, bringing a wealth of professional background and experience. Driven by a commitment to reconstructing art history, he adopts a century-long perspective, examining the modern historical context since 1840 and exploring the diverse and evolving landscape of contemporary art in the 21st century. Additionally, he has devoted significant effort to the study of Western modern painting and Chinese Song Dynasty landscape painting.
Dr. Lü shares his profound understanding and insights on art history with readers through his prolific writing. Among his notable works are "Pure Views Remote From Streams And Mountains: Landscape Painting of Chinese Song Dynasty," "A Brief History of Modern Western Painting," " History of Contemporary Art In China," and "A History of Painting in China From 1978 To Now." This selection of seven books aims to provide valuable references for readers in their study and research of art history.
01. A History of Painting in China From 1978 to Now
A History of Painting in China From 1978 to Now《中国当代绘画史：1978 - 2020》
Authors: Lü Peng\Li Guohua
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2023
Since the 1980s, significant changes have occurred in Chinese art. Traditionally, art historical narratives have focused on the transformation of Chinese visual arts from the perspective of the broader historical context. However, Lü Peng’s "A History of Painting in China From 1978 to Now" specifically examines the history of painting itself. This book encourages readers to concentrate on the following questions: What has painting offered us in the past? What does it offer us now? And what might it offer in the future? The goal of this book is to stimulate and promote deeper reflection on these questions.
02. A History of Modern Art in China
A History of Modern Art in China《中国现代艺术史》
Author: Lü Peng
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2019
"A History of Modern Art in China" offers readers a well-contextualized account of the transformations that occurred around the 20th century. It is designed to enhance the comprehensiveness and systematic understanding of readers' knowledge of art history.
The book details the development of fine arts from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republican era up to 1949. Due to the unique encounters and conflicts between China and the West in the 19th century, traditional art faced unprecedented challenges. Merely knowing the names of artists and their works is insufficient for understanding the dramatic shifts in civilization. A thorough comprehension of art history requires an exploration of the historical context and an examination of the actions and statements of those identified as calligraphers or artists.
03. A History of Contemporary Art in China
A History of Contemporary Art in China《中国当代艺术史》
Author: Lü Peng
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2020
"A History of Contemporary Art in China" spans from 1949 to 2000, with an additional overview of the first decade of the 21st century. Although 1949 marks a pivotal year, the art history of this period remains intricately connected to the phenomena of the preceding Republican era. How should one understand the complex issues embedded in the early Shanghai School and the "reformation of Chinese painting" within the vague concept of "Chinese traditional painting"? Especially in the context of globalization, how can the traditional forms of different civilizations engage in dialogue to bring forth clearer questions in art history? This book provides historical context, allowing readers to clearly see the specific historical nature of contemporary art.
04. A Brief History of Modern Western Painting
A Brief History of Modern Western Painting《视觉的震撼：西方现代绘画简史》
Author: Lü Peng
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2020
"Through translating and studying Western art history, I felt a compelling urge to share this knowledge with a broader audience. This book avoids interpretations of classical texts in traditional painting theory, as such interpretations can easily lead to endless textual cycles. Instead, the fundamental approach of this book is to reread paintings and discourses, which helps us avoid the inertia of merely listing information." — Lü Peng
"A Brief History of Modern Western Painting" is a concise introduction to the history of Western modern painting, combining professionalism with accessibility. The book is divided into five chapters, meticulously tracing and commenting on the development and achievements of Western modern painting. Richly illustrated with both text and images, it covers the art background, significant events, movements, and representative artists of each historical stage. It also places great emphasis on the historical context behind the styles, languages, and forms of artists, enabling readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the stages and characteristics of Western modern painting's development.
05. Painting Matters: He Duoling’s Art
Painting Matters: He Duoling’s Art《绘画事情：何多苓的艺术》
Author: Chengdu Art Museum (Editor)
Chief Editor: Lü Peng
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2020
"Painting Matters: He Duoling’s Art" includes over 70 representative works from various stages of He Duoling's career, making it a well-defined and comprehensive case study of the artist's work. The book follows the timeline of He Duoling’s major exhibition, "Painting Matters — The Artistic Journey of He Duoling," using exhibited works as a thread, supplemented by critical articles, interviews, artist’s statements, and letters published in public media or included in the artist’s personal albums. From the classic work "Spring Winds Have Awoken(春风已经苏醒)" in 1982 to recent pieces like "Wild Garden Female Wall(野苑女墙)" around 2020, it comprehensively showcases the nearly half-century artistic development of oil painter He Duoling.
The book also features warm accounts from friends such as Ouyang Jianghe and Zhai Yongming, along with theoretical analyses by critics such as Li Xianting, Lü Peng, Zhu Zhu, and Yao Feng. These multifaceted perspectives explore He Duoling’s creative concepts and mental journey, dissecting the intertextual relationship between personal life and historical context. This provides readers with rich artistic references and inspiration.
06. Pure Views Remote From Streams and Mountains: Landscape Painting of the Chinese Song Dynasty
Pure Views Remote From Streams and Mountains: Landscape Painting of the Chinese Song Dynasty《溪山清远：宋代山水画》
Author: Lü Peng
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2020
"Pure Views Remote From Streams and Mountains: Landscape Painting of the Chinese Song Dynasty" follows a structural approach in its description, noting that landscape painting did not truly take shape before the Five Dynasties period. Prior to this era, the ideal representation of nature remained within the realms of the mind and literature—a long period referred to as the era of "spiritual landscapes." During the Five Dynasties and the early Northern Song period, painters began to depict nature as closely as possible to visual reality, believing that both the essence and spirit of nature could be captured. Their extraordinary abilities led to the emergence of "real landscapes" that appeared authentic in their depiction.
However, the approach to depicting the reality of nature lacked methodological support. The traditional painting materials and the knowledge system underpinning these materials were insufficient to guide painters towards observing the physical appearance of nature. Instead, artists adhered to the views and representations of nature by their predecessors as a set of rules to follow.
The concept of "aesthetic interest" is woven throughout the book. It explores the achievements of the earliest landscape painters, how these achievements evolved in the understanding of subsequent artists, and the influence that Song Dynasty painters had on later generations of landscape artists. The author conducts in-depth research and discussion on the key points during the formation of landscape painting in the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties.
07. Chinese Art History From 1978 to 2018
Chinese Art History From 1978 to 2018 《中国当代艺术简史》
Chief Editor: Lü Peng
Publisher: Shanghai Calligraphy and Painting Publishing House
Year: 2018
This book is divided into three chapters: the 1980s, the 1990s, and the 21st century. It places artists within these three historical periods and organizes this concise history according to the stages at which each artist's work fits into the broader art historical narrative. Through this book, readers can gain an understanding of the essential developments in contemporary Chinese art over the past forty years. By omitting overly complex background details and event descriptions, the book allows a clearer view of how a segment of art history is collectively shaped by the individual works of artists.