Abstract
Since the 1990s, the relationship between xiqu illustration and stage performance in the Ming dynasty has attracted increased scholarly attention. The conclusions, “performing in accordance with pictures” and “drawing in accordance with performances”, have almost become a self-evident consensus in the history of ancient Chinese printmaking. However, if we re-examine this issue from an interdisciplinary perspective of art history and theatre history, we will find that it is a pseudo-proposition raised to meet specific standards. Xiqu actors did not “perform in accordance pictures”, which was booksellers’ advertising strategy. On the other hand, the problem of “drawing in accordance with performances” is that scholars are eager to establish a causal chain between the similarities of language format, character movements and composition style, but deliberately avoid the inner reasoning of art history. Just like illustrations of other genres, xiqu illustrations in the Ming dynasty were delineations that imitate scenes of life rather than stage performances.
First Page
13
Last Page
24
Recommended Citation
Zhu, Hao. 2021. "Revisiting the Relationship between Xiqu Illustrations and Stage Performance in the Ming Dynasty." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 41, (5): pp.13-24. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol41/iss5/16
