冰轮金阁 Ice Wheel (Frost Moon) and Golden Pavilion

冰轮金阁

Artist: Li, Weisong 李巍松

Media: Chinese Painting on Rice Paper

Size: 13 x 26 in. (33 x 66 cm) 

纳兰性德有“琵笆仙•中秋”，“碧海年年，试问取，冰轮为谁圆缺。”

“冰轮”是古人对圆月的雅称，瑞雪兆丰年也是人们对美好生活的一种期许。

这幅作品在日本金笺纸上所做，有两个特别之处是有别前人的，一是以大块“梵青”铺染夜空和湖水，另一个就是对角构图，画面中用宋人界画技法严谨绘制精工楼阁和舟楫，山林杂树的刻画亦是一丝不苟，再以敷白法染出雪峰和烟岚，进而用大量“梵青”对底色进行反复厚重的渲染。画面中“梵青”沉郁深邃，雪月寂静皎洁，对画禅坐，遐思驰神，如入道境，如踏玄冥，使观者顿觉胸中澄澈，心内空明，所谓“澄怀观道”，观此图应有所悟。

Nalan Xingde's "Pi Ba Xian • Mid-Autumn" features the line, "Each year the azure sea, one must inquire, for whom does the ice wheel become complete or wane." The term "ice wheel" is an elegant expression from ancient times for the full moon, and the imagery of abundant snow heralding a prosperous year reflects people's aspirations for a beautiful life.

Created on Japanese Kinugami paper, this artwork possesses two distinct features that set it apart from predecessors. Firstly, it extensively employs the color "Fan Qing" to depict the night sky and lake waters. Secondly, it employs a diagonal composition. The meticulous rendering of refined pavilions, boats, and the meticulous portrayal of mountainous landscapes and diverse trees, using the precise techniques of Song Dynasty figure painting, is complemented by the use of the "Fushi" technique to depict snow-capped peaks and misty landscapes. Additionally, a substantial amount of "Fan Qing" is used to repeatedly and heavily layer the base colors. The "Fan Qing" in the painting is deep and profound, creating a sense of depth, while the tranquil brilliance of the snowy moon invites contemplation, leading viewers into a state reminiscent of meditation, transcending into the realm of the Dao. This imparts a clear and luminous feeling to the viewer's chest and mind, embodying the concept of "clear-hearted contemplation of the Dao." Viewers are encouraged to glean insights from contemplating this artwork.