Time and Emotion in the Handscrolls of Four Seasons miscellaneous flower paintings s by Ming Dynasty Literati

Abstract

Literati painters from the middle and late Ming Dynasty created numerous miscellaneous paintings of flowers for all four seasons, such as Shen Zhou (1427-1509) and Xu Wei(1521-1593), reflects a shift towards the subjective expression of "mind"and "emotion". Influenced by the painting style of the Southern Song monk-painter Mu Qi (1210?-1270?) and the philosophical shift from Neo-Confucianism to the School of Mind (Xinxue), Ming artists moved beyond objective "sketching from life" to "sketching from the heart" This paper examines how these handscrolls serve as mediums for expressing personal sentiments and existential reflections on time. Furthermore, it explores how social changes and the fluctuating fortunes of the literati shaped these artistic choices, arguing that these works functioned as essential tools for social exchange and the maintenance of self-consciousness in late Ming society.