WU Qingwen

(Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China)

Abstract:  Late Ming impressionistic blue and white flower-and-bird decorations on Jingdezhen folk wares are characterized by spacious composition, graceful lines, spontaneous strokes and unrestrained styles. Painted on porcelain with traditional cobalt blue pigments by folk craftsmen, these popular flowers and birds take on a unique expression with special artistic style, imbuing the ceramic works with simple feature yet rich vitality. In this paper, the aesthetic taste of blue and white decorations on Jingdezhen folk wares in Ming Dynasty are explored from the view point of their cultural implications and art features.

Key words:  late Ming dynasty; Jingdezhen folk ware; blue and white decoration; bird-and-flower painting; aesthetic taste