The woodcut new year paintings of Zhuxian Town, Kaifeng is the earliest ancestors of Chinese woodcut new year paintings which have full composition, rough lines, modeling of primitive simplicity and bright colors. Together with Yangliuqing new year paintings of Tianjin, Yangjiabu woodcut new year paintings of Weifang, Shandong and Taohuawu new year paintings of Jiangsu, they are regarded as four major new year paintings in China.
On May 20, 2006, with the approval of the State Council, new year paintings was added into the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
基本介紹
- 中文名稱：朱仙鎮木版年畫
- Region：Zhuxian Town, Henan Province
- Time：2006
- ICH level： National
- ICH No：Ⅶ—7
History,Artistic Features,1.Style,2.Technique features,3.colors,4.composition skills,Techniques,Themes and Forms,
History
The Zhuxian Town woodcut new year paintingsoriginated in Tang Dynasty, rised in Song Dynasty and became prosperous in Ming Dynasty. In the early North Song Dynasty, active folk arts provided fertile soil for the creation of new year pictures. Along with the invention ofmovable type printing, the woodblock printing developedto its prosperity. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the riverway in Zhuxian extended in all directions, as a result of which, Zhuxian County soon became an important town for business. The trade of woodcut new yearpaintingsrose quickly at the prosperous commercial ports.
Artistic Features
1.Style
Zhuxian Town woodcut new year paintings originated from folk arts. It has rough and bold lines, full composition, vigorous and bright colors and distinctive regional characteristics.
2.Technique features
The knife work engraves rough and bold lines. Some are thick and some are thin, the contrast between which is intensive.
3.colors
Minerals and plants are taken as raw materials, and grinded by hand to make pigments. This kindof pigments are durable without fading.
4.composition skills
The head of the character is big while the body is small, which makes it look both humorous and comfortable.
Techniques
First of all, first-class solid wood is selected to engrave. Then follow the steps to color the picture: black, yellow, red, green, indigo. Some of the pictures need to be colored red once more or need to have the face colored. Lastly, dry the pictures.
Themes and Forms
The most common character drew on Zhuxian Town woodcut new year paintingsare Door Gods, mainly Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong, who are generals. In addition, there are also lifestyle new year pictures, pictures that are used on specific festivals or events and so on.
