Huizhou-Style Print

Enjoying the reputation of being the manufacturing center for paper and
Chinese ink, Huizhou boasted many adept painters and engravers. The most famous
engravers in Huizhou were the Huang Clan from Yachuan Village. Willing to learn
from each other and striving for the best, they eventually rose to the leading
position in the Chinese prints industry. Many evidences prove that Huizhou-style
Print was a great success with various kinds of schools.
With hair-like thin and soft lines and finely carved surroundings like hills,
stones, bricks, and windows, Zhuangyuantukao (Number one scholars) and Guifan
(Guidelines for maidens) done by people from the Huang clan in Yachuan Village
well demonstrate the adeptness of the engravers. Their works are not only finely
engraved and painted, but also could serve as a mirror reflecting the
development of the society at that time.
Ilustrations by Huang Tingke£¨1582£©
For instance, four Christian prints sent to Cheng Junfang by Matteo RICCI, an
Italian missionary in China, were copied in Chengximoquan, a piece of
representative works by the Huang clan. This demonstrates that block-print once
served as a bridge to enhance the art communication between China and the
Western countries.
Not confining themselves to their hometown, craftsmen in
Huizhou widely spread to other regions, such as Hangzhou, Suzhou, Jiaxing, and
Nanjing. They naturally brought the styles of Huizhou Print with them to
wherever they arrived.
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