Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2021, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (5): 13-24.

• Issue in Focus: Studies of Xiqu • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Revisiting the Relationship between Xiqu Illustrations and Stage Performance in the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Hao   

  1. School of Journalism and Culture Communication, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
  • Online:2021-09-25 Published:2021-09-26
  • About author:Zhu Hao, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the School of Journalism and Culture Communication, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. His research interests include Chinese xiqu and xiqu image during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
  • Supported by:

    the Ministry of Education Humanities and Social Science Youth Project (17YJC760123) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2722020JCT016).

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.

Key words:

Xiqu illustrations, stage performance, “performing in accordance with pictures”, causal chain