The Mustard Seed Garden Manual of Painting: A Facsimile of the 1887-1888 Shanghai Edition

Originally published as Volume 2 of The Tao of Painting, this is the first English translation of the famous Chinese handbook, the "Chieh Tzu Y?an Hua Chuan" (original, 1679-1701). Mai-mai Sze has translated and annotated the texts of instructions, discussions of the fundamentals of painting, notes on the preparation of colors, and chief editorial prefaces.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691018197
• ISBN13: 9780691018195
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 648 Pages
• Weight: 2.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 8.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Beyond what I expected

This book is almost priceless to me. Not only are the illustrations well reproduced and are a huge benefit to the artist, but the text is a testament to the Spiritual eyes and heart of its authors. Few people are patient enough these days to really take the time to understand what these subjects really are...living, breathing, knowing life-forms. I have discovered a new way to look at the subjects I paint, they require one to sit and share conversation and acceptance on the deepest level. I will treasure this book more than any others in my collection.

Wonderful resource

I am a student of Chinese painting and this book was recommended by our teacher as the most reliable reference book for Chinese painting. I am very pleased with this purchase since it is everything that I expected.

Essential textbook for sumi-e and Chinese brush painters

This manual has been used for centuries in China and Japan and illustrates all the basics needed to paint in oriental style, with helpful written pointers. Be aware that the black ink illustrations were originally wood-block prints so grey tones do not translate. Particularly useful for compositional study and models of outlline figures, animals and architectural elements. For more up-to-date and in-depth instruction in the Four Gentlemen, including stroke-by-stroke illustrations, try the "Book of Bamboo", "Book of Plum", "Book of Orchid" and "Book of Chrysanthemum" by Prof I-Hsiung Ju.

Lots and Lots of lllustrations

Wonderful book. A great book for any painter or artist with a fascination or desire to understand chinese paintings. This book would have been a ten if it was in color but despite that it's many (many!) illustrations and the translation make this book a genuine treasure. It encompassed several volumes from books over 200 years old - but the wisdom and teachings shared are invaluable and timeless