Title: Jieziyuan Huapu (The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting), 1915. A Near Complete Set of All Four Series, in 15 of 16 Volumes. Hundreds of Beautifully Detailed Woodblock Illustrations, Numerous Full-Page Landscapes and Figures
Author: Shen Xinyou; Wang Gai; Wang Shi; Wang Nie; Zhu Sheng
Publisher: Shanghai Book Store
Condition: Very Good
An Early Republic of China Period, early 20th century edition of the Jieziyuan Huapu, also more famously known as The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting.
Originally printed and compiled in the Early-Qing Dynasty, the manual is a massive compilation on Chinese painting, first commissioned by Shen Xinyou and published by Li Yu, and the aim was to produce a manual for landscape painting. Through the decades, four parts or series were produced, although the fourth part was reproduced in higher quality by Chao Xun in the late 19th century, as well as carefully reproducing the first three parts, of which this edition is likely derived from.
This series of 15 volumes encompasses all four series, although one volume from the third series is lacking. There are hundreds of beautiful, detailed woodblock illustrations, all unique and utterly different from the other. Many are complete full-page examples (the landscapes and portraits in particular), while in other cases there can be several different illustrations to a single page.
The first series is the most comprehensive, dealing with the general principles of landscape painting, the painting of trees, hills and stones people and houses, and lastly selected works of great landscape painters. It is interesting to note that many of those landscapes are derived from originals which were kept in various private collections, including ones from Li Yu’s own holdings.
The second series focuses on painting flora and fauna, with numerous botanical compositions. There are countless depictions of different orchards, bamboo gatherings, blossoms, chrysanthemums, and more.
The third series continues along with more nature scenes of plants but also introducing how to paint insects and various birds.
The fourth and final series focuses entirely on portraiture, with well over 100 woodblock illustrations of various immortals (Luohans and Arhats, deities and more), historical figures (Emperors, artists, scholars, etc), and various famed beauties, all accompanied with lengthy prefaces and a lengthy description regarding portraiture in general.
The first part has been dated to ROC Year 3, or 1915.
15 volumes in four parts, 45, 45, 47, 53; 24, 17, 10, 21; 29, 18, 22; 39, 37, 37, 36 leaves
These volumes are in very good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the slipcases. Some of the bindings also have minor wear and chipping to the delicate covers, and two volumes have loosened ties. There is foxing and browning throughout.