Landscape of the Soul By Nathalie Trowveroy [AHSEC Class 11 English Notes for 2025 Exam]

LANDSCAPE OF THE SOUL
By Nathalie Trowveroy

[AHSEC Class 11 English Notes for 2025 Exam]

About Chapter

The writer contrasts Chinese art with European art by recounting two stories about Chinese art and one story about European Art. The Europeans want to perfect likeness, whereas in Asia, art is the essence of life and spirit. Chinese art requires the active participation of the viewer both physically and mentally to understand it.

About the Characters

Wu Daozi The eight century Chinese landscape painter disappeared inside his last painting.

Emperor Xuanzong He admired Daozi’s painting but was not an active participant in it.

Quinten Metsys he was a fifteenth century Belgian blacksmith who changed his profession to become a delicate realist painter and marry the woman he loved.

SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTER 

Comparison between European and Chinese Art

This chapter is a comparative study of European and Chinese painting. It touches upon various subtleties of reality and art. Art is one of the forms of expression like poetry, music and dance. All these forms of expression have an abstract nature as they can’t be defined and have to be felt or experienced. The chapter has three important areas of discussion: anecdotes related to Chinese and European painting, Daoism and how one of the philosophical doctrines of Daoism called ‘Shanshui’ is reflected in Chinese paintings.

Anecdote about Chinese Painter Wu Daozi

The eight century Chinese Emperor Xuanzong commissioned a painter named Wu Daozi to paint a landscape. When the painting was ready, the Emperor was invited to appreciate it. He enjoyed looking at the forests, high mountains, waterfalls, clouds, men on hilly paths, birds in flight etc depicted in the painting. But the painter was not satisfied and he invited the attention of the Emperor towards a cave in the painting, inside which, the painter said, resided a spirit. The painter clapped his hands, causing the entrance to the cave. Then the paikknter said, “The inside is splendid, beyond anything words can convey. Please let me show your Majesty the way”. The painter entered the cave and disappeared. The cave door closed and the painting disappeared from the wall before the Emperor could move.

Anecdote about European Painter Quinten Metsys

A fifteenth century Belgian blacksmith named Quinten Metsys fell in love with a painter’s daughter. Knowing that her father would not accept him because of his profession, he secretly entered the painter’s studio and painted such a realistic fly on the artist’s panel that the master tried to swat it before he realized that it was not real! Quinten was accepted by the master as an apprentice, married his beloved and soon became famous for his ‘realism’ in painting.

Meaning of the Tales

Such stories as that about Wu Daozi are very common in China’s classical education. It was through such stories that great masters made abstract concepts concrete. Such tales reveal that art has an inner life, meaning or soul. Only when one is able to see that inner life can one understand its true meaning. The Emperor had appreciated the painting only from what he saw. He could only see the body of the painting, whereas the painter tried to show him the soul, the inner life and meaning of the painting. Similarly, Quinten Metsys signified illusionistic likeness in European painting.

The same holds good for the story about the frightening likeness of a dragon to a real one which prevented a Chinese painter from drawing its eye, as he felt that then the dragon would see him and attack him.

Basis of Chinese Paintings

Chinese paintings are based on the philosophy of Daoism. Sao means “path or way” – the way into the mystery of the universe. The Emperor may rule over territories, but the artist alone knows the way within. Life has no meaning unless we undertake the inner, spiritual journey. When Wu Daozi said, “let me show you the way”, he meant the way to the inner meaning of art or mystery of the universe. This is the spirit of Chinese paintings. They do not reproduce an actual view, but use a real landscape to say something more. A Chinese painter, therefore, wants the viewer to take plural view points to enter into his painting and travel in it. He wants our active participation, not only physical but also mental. His landscape is not a copy of a real landscape; it is a representation of an inner reality, a spiritual and conceptual space.

What Daoism Is?

According to Daoism, this universe is composed of two complementary poles, viz. Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine). The interaction of these two energies makes the universe. Their meeting point, called the “Middle Void” also holds great significance, though it is often overlooked. This can be compared with the yogic practice of pranayama; breathe in, retain, breathe out the ‘retain’ part is the “Middle Void” where meditation occurs. This void is essential – nothing can happen without it.

In Daoism, a landscape is called “Shanshui” (Shan = mountain, Shui = water); however, it doesn’t represent a real landscape; it is the Daoist view of the universe. To understand Chinese paintings, one must understand Daoism. So, the mountains and water in the Chinese paintings are representative of Shanshui and the unpainted space is representative of the Middle Void where the interaction between Yin and Yang takes place. Man is the medium of communication between the two complementary poles of the universe and you can see his presence too in the Chinese paintings.

Also Read: AHSEC Class 11 Chapter wise notes  (Prose & Poetry 30 Marks)

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

Ø  Chinese paintings are abstract in nature as they can’t be defined and have to be felt or experienced.

Ø  In contrast, there is illusionistic likeness in European painting.

Ø  Their contrasting nature is explained through the anecdotes about

·    Chinese Painter Wu Daozi, who disappeared inside his painting.

·    Another Chinese painter who did not want to paint the eyes of the dragon for fear that the dragon may attack him on seeing him.

·     Belgian painter Quinten Metsys, who painted a realistic fly to marry the woman he loved.

Ø  Chinese paintings are based on the philosophy of Daoism, which says that life has no meaning unless we undertake the inner, spiritual journey.

Ø  Chinese painters want the viewers’ active participation, not only physical but also mental, while viewing their paintings.

Ø  According to Daoism, the interaction of two complementary poles, viz. Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine) makes the universe.

Ø  Man is the medium of communication between the two complementary poles, i.e., their meeting point, and you can see his presence too in Chinese paintings.

Question-Answers

Very short answer type questions

1. Name the writer of the prose piece ‘Landscape of the soul’.

Ans. Nathalie Trouveroy is the writer of the prose piece ‘Landscape of the soul’.

2. Who was Wu Daozi?

Ans. Wu Daozi was a famous Chinese painter.

3. Name the emperor who commissioned Wu to point a landscape.

Ans. Tang Emperor Xuanzong commissioned Wu to point a landscape.

4. Name the blacksmith who fell in love with a painter’s daughter.

Ans. Quinten Metsy feel in love with a painter’s daughter.

5. What is the concept of Shanshui?

Ans. The concept of Shanshui is Mountain water.

6. What is the middle void?

Ans. Middle void is the third element where there is the interaction between Yang and Yin.

7. Who mooted the concept of ‘art brut’?

Ans. Jean Dubuffet mooted the concept of ‘art brut’.

8. Who is hailed as India’s biggest contributor to outsider Art?

Ans. Nek Chand is India’s biggest contributor to outsider Art.

9. Who was Jean Dubuffet? What concept of art he propound?

Ans. Jean Dubuffet was French painter.

10. Who is Nek Chand? What is his contribution to the world of art?

Ans. Nek Chand is a 80 year old Indian creator director who is hailed as India’s biggest contributor to the world of art.

Textual Questions and Answers

1. Contrast the Chinese view of art with the European view with examples.   2015  2016     2017

Ans. The Chinese view of art differs from the European view. The Chinese view of art focuses more on the essence of inner and spiritual view in their paintings. On the other hand European view of art focuses on to achieve on view.

The European painter wants you to borrow his eyes and look at a particular image exactly the way he saw it. On the other hand, the Chinese painter does not have a specific angle and wants us to enter it from any point. European view does not want the viewer to take active part in his landscape whereas the Chinese painter required the active participation of the viewer both physically and mentally.

2. Explain the concept of ‘Shanshui’.              [2012, 2014]

OR

What do ‘mountain’ and ‘water’ represent in ‘Shanshui’?(N)          2014

Or

What are ‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’?           2019

Ans. The Chinese word ‘Shanshui’ means ‘mountain-water’ (Yang yin). Together, these two words comprise the Daoist view of the universe ‘Yang’ is ‘mountain’ stable, warm and dry in the sun which reaches vertically towards Heaven. ‘Water is ‘yin’ – the receptive feminine aspect of universal energy. It rests on the earth horizontally and fluid, moist and cool.

3. What do you understand by the terms ‘outsider art’ and ‘art brut’ or ‘raw art’?      2012

Ans. ‘Outsider art’ is the art of those untrained artist who in a way do not have the right to be artists. Though these artists do not have formal training yet they show immense talent and artistic insight.

On the other hand, ‘art brut’ or ‘raw art’ are unrefined state of art. In this kind of art, the artist used anything and everything from a tin or a sink or a broken down car as the material for their art. Nek Chand, the untutored genius’ creator of the Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a good example of such art.

4. Who was the ‘untutored genius who created a paradise’ and what is the nature of his contribution.

Or

How has Nek Chand received international recognition?       2011

Ans. The ‘untutored genius’ who created the paradise called the Rock Garden of Chandigarh was Nek Chand years age, he cleared little patch of jungle to make himself garden sculpted with stone and recycle materials. This came to be known as the Rock Garden of Chandigarh. He is know as the biggest contributor to outsider art. He has not obtain formal tracing in art. He was blessed with inborn talent and insight in art.

5. Describe the Chinese view of art.

Ans. The Chinese artist does not choose a single viewpoint. His landscape is not a real and you can enter it from any point then travel in it, the artist creates a path for your eyes to travel up and down, then back again, in a leisurely movement. His art requires the active participation of the viewer. The Chinese artist does not want you to borrow his eyes. He wants you to enter his mind. His landscape is inner and spiritual.

6. Describe the European view of art.

Ans. A European artist takes art as a figurative representation of reality. He wants the viewers to borrow his eyes and look at the painting as he saw it. He wants to create an illusion of reality in his painting. Most of western paintings are based on this.

7. Who was Wu Daozi? Who commissioned him to decorate a palace wall?      2013

Ans. Wu Daozi was a famous painter of China who lived in the 8^th century. His last painting was a landscape commissioned by the Tang emperor Xuanzong to decorate his palace wall.

8. Name the two Chinese philosophers whose books are full of illusions.

Ans. The books of Confuscious and Zhuangzi are full of illusionary storage and these books help to guide there disciples in the right direction. Beyond the anecdote, these books helped in revealing the spirit in which art was considered.

9. Who was Quinten Metsys? How did he become one of the most famous painters of his age?

Ans. Quinten Metsys was a master blacksmith who lived in 15^th century Europe. He fell in love with a painter’s daughter who would not accept him because of his profession. One day Quinten sneaked into the painter’s studio and painted a fly on his latest panel with such delicate realism that even when the master tried to swat it away, it did not go. Only then he realized what had happened. Quinten was immediately admitted as an apprentice into his studio and he soon married his beloved. This is how he went on to become one of the famous painter of his age.

10. What is being compared to pranayama?

Ans. ‘Shanshir’ describes ‘mountain-water as the two sides of the universe – one is the masculine part in the sun, other resting on the earth as the receptive feminine energy. The middle part is called the Middle Void which is being compared to pranayama. It is the space where meditation takes place – the breathing in, its retention and the breathing in. It is very important.

11. What did Wu Daozi paint for the Emperor?          2016

Or

What did Emperor Xuanzong Commission wu D’ Lozi to do?         2011

Ans. For the emperor, Wu-Daozi painted a landscape to decorate the place wall. In the painting he painted the forests, waterfalls, mountains, clouds and the immense sky along with a cave where dwelt a spirit.

12. Why did the Flemish painter accept Quinten Metsys as a son-in-law?

Ans. Earlier Quinten Metsys was a blacksmith, which was not considered as a respectable profession. However, when Quinten showed his talent in painting by drawing a very realistic looking fly on the panel on which the artist was painting. Quinten was enrolled as the artist’s apprentice and later accepted as a son-in-law.

13. What is the ‘Middle Void’?

And. The Middle Void is the blank space where the two complementary elements, Yang and Yin, meet. This is usually overlooked, but a viewer must actively participate in the painting. Without this Middle Void, the viewer can’t take an active part in the painting and it will be just like a European painting.

Long Answer Type Questions:

1. Briefly recount what happened to the painter Wu Daozi in the chapter ‘Landscape of the Soul’.

Ans. The eight century Chinese painter Wu Daozi was commissioned by the Tang Emperor Xuanzong to paint a landscape painting to decorate a palace wall. The master painter had hidden the painting behind a screen so that only the Emperor could see it when desired. For quite some time, the Emperor admired the landscape containing forests, high mountains, waterfalls, clouds floating in an immense sky, men on hilly paths and flying birds. Then the painter pointed out a cave painted by him at the foot of the mountain and told the Emperor that a spirit lived in that cave. When the painter clapped his hands, the entrance to the cave opened. Then the painter explained that the inside of the cave was really worth seeing and offered to show the way to enter the cave. But, as soon as Wu Daozi entered the cave, the entrance closed behind him. Before the surprised Emperor could move or say anything, the landscape painting vanished from the wall. Not even the painter’s brush remained. In fact, Wu Daozi was never seen again. The landscape had been his last painting.

2. How was Quinten Metsys able to marry the painter’s daughter?

Ans. Quinten Metsys, a master blacksmith in fifteenth century Antwerp, fell in love with a painter’s daughter. Quinten realized that his profession was not considered respectable and thus, the painter would never allow Quinten to marry his daughter. Thus, he had to impress the painter with his creative talent first.

As Quinten possessed determination to achieve his desired goal, he entered the painter’s studio secretly when the painter was not thee and painted a very realistic-looking fly on the painter’s latest panel. Later on, when the painter entered his studio and saw the fly, he tried to swat it before he realized that it was not a real fly. On finding out who had painted the fly with such delicate realism, he asked Quinten to become his apprentice, as the painter realized that Quinten possessed artistic talent. Thus, Quinten was able to marry the painter’s daughter and go on to become one of the most famous painters of his age.

3. Explain the concept of Shanshui painting.

Ans. Shanshui painting is not a normal kind of painting. First of all, when Chinese painters work on a Shanshui painting, they do not try to present an image of what they have seen in nature, but what they have thought about nature. Shanshui painting does not use colour, light and shadow, or personal brush work with conventional paints. Instead, Shanshui Painting uses a brush and ink. Mountains, rivers and also waterfalls are prominent in this art form.

In Shanshui painting, the two elements of an image represent two complementary poles, just like the Daoist view of the universe. The mountain is Yang, meaning it is active and masculine. It is stable, warm and dry in the sun. The other pole is water or Yin, meaning it is horizontal, resting on the earth, fluid, moist and cool. The interaction of Yin, the receptive, feminine aspect of universal energy and its counterpart Yang is a fundamental notion of Daoism. The essential elements in the Middle Void where Yin and Yang interact is man, as he becomes the conduit of communication between both the complementary poles.

Exam Questions from 2011 to 2024

1.       What did Emperor Xuanzong Commission wu D’ Lozi to do?         2011

2.       How has Nek Chand received international recognition?           2011

3.       What do you understand by the terms ‘Outsider art’ and ‘art brut’ or ‘raw art’?          2012

4.       What is the concept of ‘Shanshui’?         2012  2018

5.       Who was Wu Daozi?         2013

6.       What do ‘mountain’ and ‘water’ represent in ‘Shanshui’?         2014

7.       Describe and contrast the features of the Chinese and the European art landscapes.  2015 2016   2017   

8.       What is the Daoist concept of ‘Shanshui’ and Daoist view of the universe?         2015

9.       What did Wu Daozi paint for the Emperor ?         2016