Shandong's county showcases peony art to the world

The Fifth Senior High School in Shanxian county, Heze city, Shandong province, hosted a public lecture on the claborate-style peony painting technique as part of the Sino-Russian Senior High Schools Alliance's online Chinese classroom initiative. Zhou Yanmin, a local expert in this storied painting style, led the session for Russian students.

Claborate-style painting is a technique deeply rooted in traditional Chinese art, known for its meticulous attention to detail. Originating in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it has since become a cherished treasure within Chinese artistic expression, evolving through centuries of development and refinement.

Zhou (right) takes a group photo with the Russian students. [Photo by Wang Xiaolan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

During the session, Zhou delved into the history, cultural significance, techniques, and key points of this art form through exhibits, illustrated guides, and live demonstrations.

"The peony is known for its breathtaking beauty and auspicious meanings of wealth and prosperity. With its charm, elegance, and vibrant colors, the claborate-style peony painting embodies the richness of Chinese culture," said Zhou.

Zhou showcased a variety of claborate-style peony paintings, each bursting with lush peony blooms, lively birds, and vivid landscapes. The intricate details and vibrant colors garnered praise from the Russian students, who were visibly impressed, commenting "Absolutely beautiful!" and "So impressive!"

Zhou stressed the importance of precise lines and rich colors in claborate-style peony paintings, demonstrating common techniques on-site. The Russian students enthusiastically followed along, eager to learn.

Zhou demonstrates the claborate-style peony painting technique for Russian students. [Photo by Wang Xiaolan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

"The peonies in the paintings are just as beautiful as those in the garden. I love peonies and want to learn how to paint them," one Russian student said.

"Claborate-style peony painting isn't just about art; it's a cultural legacy and a creative expression. This lecture allows Russian students to spark their love for this art form and the Chinese peony culture it represents," said Zhou. (Edited by Zhang Ying)