Abstract:Thesubject of this paper, thePainting of Jiucheng Palacethat is believed to be painted by Li Zhaodao,was anitem displayed during the “Exhibition of Chinese Paintings at theCernuschi Museum·1912.”Based on the research findings of some French Sinologists such asEmmanuel- èdouard Chavannes and Beitrutch upon this picture,this paper is about to explore the French Sinology’s focus on Chinese painting in the early 20thcentury. These French Sinologists’ research on this painting mainly involves four aspects: 1) on its content from the historical perspective, 2)onthe painting techniques ofJie Hua(界画, a kind of ruler-aided drawing), 3) on the theories of the Southern and Northern Schools of Chinese landscape painting, and 4) on the integration of painting and calligraphy. As for the reason why the Fresh Sinologists had such a deep understanding of Chinese painting in the early 20thcentury, it might be resulted from Beitrutch’s translation ofThe Painting Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden(《芥子园画传》). This paper concludes that it is enlightening for the spreading of Chinese art overseas that the European Sinologists would collect and study the looted Chinese relics like thePainting of Jiucheng Palace(believed to be done by Li Zhaodao) of the French collection.
Key words:Painting of Jiucheng Palace;theCernuschi Museum; French Sinology;Chavannes
