Frontiers in Art Research, 2025, 7(8); doi: 10.25236/FAR.2025.070805.
Ren Xingyuan
School of Architecture, Chengdu Textile College, Chengdu, China
This paper explores the impact of Sino-foreign exchanges on the evolution of the artistic style of Shu brocade. In the pre-Tang era, Shu brocade was characterized by patterns of clouds and mythical creatures, complex layouts, and muted colors adhering to the traditional 'Five Colors' system. The prosperity of the Silk Road, along with population migration and political-cultural interactions, precipitated significant transformations. In terms of pattern, it was the incorporation of foreign plant and animal patterns, including distinctive designs like the linked-bead patterns and confronted animals. From the casual horizontal linear composition of the Han Dynasty to the geometrical composition with a sense of order in the Tang Dynasty, and finally to the diverse composition patterns where multiple composition methods coexist, some composition methods have become increasingly complex. Color palettes shifted under Western influences, moving from heavy, mysterious dark grounds to hues of high brightness and strong contrast, thus evolving from an archaic and solemn sacredness to a secular elegance. Ultimately, cultural exchange and technical updates drove this artistic formal change, fostering a continuous process of development and innovation through the fusion of Western styles with native traditions.
Shu Brocade; Sino-Foreign Exchanges; Artistic Style; Patterns
Ren Xingyuan. Sino-Foreign Exchanges and the Evolution of Shu Brocade Art Style. Frontiers in Art Research (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 8: 26-30. https://doi.org/10.25236/FAR.2025.070805.
[1] He Yimin. Ancient Chengdu and the Silk Road [J]. Chinese Culture Forum, 2017(04):5-18+191.
[2] Zhou Jiu. Sorting out the Varieties and Analysis of Aesthetic Characteristics of the Three Famous Ancient Chinese Brocades [J]. Silk,2018,55(04):93-105.
[3] Li Jianping. Tang Dynasty costume graphic "Lingyang Gong Fang" [J]. Design, 2016, (17).