But just a few decades ago, someone really said such arrogant things, and many people still think that he didn't brag too much. As a master of calligraphy and painting, this person sneered at Guo Moruo and Qi Baishi of his peers. He is the famous Kang Sheng in the history books.
God's darling
In fact, when it comes to Kang Sheng, most people don't know that he can still create calligraphy and painting. He is so famous in political circles that the controversy surrounding him has been raging in the field of history for so many years that his talent has been hidden behind the controversy.
Back in time, in the heyday of the Spring and Autumn Period, Kangsheng really had all the conditions to become an artist.
Kang Sheng used to be the master of a large family. He grew up in luxury, and his father hired the best teacher to teach him to read. Kang Sheng was a standard "child prodigy" at the age of ten.
Kang Sheng teenagers love painting, and he also has this condition. As a minor, he traveled all over China and visited the famous original works. Kang Sheng once proudly said that among his peers, I'm afraid no one has seen more original works than him.
Kang Sheng is a very arrogant person. It is not surprising that such a person has contempt for his peers, because he is a favored son of heaven.
Kang Sheng, who was in his twenties, took part in the revolution and worked underground in Shanghai for many years. With his outstanding ability, he became the right-hand man of Shanghai business leader Yu Qiaqing and followed Yu Qiaqing in Shanghai.
Until he went to Yan 'an, after so many years of political career, Kang Sheng hung out among various inner-party forces and never made any mistakes, which shows that his ability is very strong.
But it's hard to say whether Kang Sheng loves politics or art best. On the one hand, he spent all his thoughts on politics, but on the other hand, he also had a sincere and passionate love for art.
It is said that Kang Sheng is almost an artistic all-rounder, and he is proficient in calligraphy, painting, poetry and music. Although Kang Sheng held an important position in his later years and earned a considerable salary, he lived a very frugal life, never spending money on food and clothing, but he was always generous in buying books and works of art.
Relying on talent and pride: challenging Guo Moruo's calligraphy and pen name to compete with Qi Baishi
After his death, a large number of his collections were auctioned off, and the number was amazing. Until today, there are still many Kangsheng collections scattered in the market. These collections are carefully selected by their owners, not arty, so they are of high value. In 20 17, Kang Sheng's collection of "A Red House with a Family" sold for more than 20 million yuan.
His own artistic skill is unfathomable. His calligraphy is unique and has the reputation of "keeping fit". Kang Sheng loved writing all his life. Even if he is seriously ill, he will insist on writing in calligraphy. It is said that Kang Sheng has a good ability to write with both hands at the same time, and all kinds of brushwork are handy, especially cursive script.
Some people once praised Kang Sheng, Guo Moruo, Qi Yanming and Shen as the four masters of contemporary calligraphy, and Kang Sheng was among them.
But I'm afraid Kang Sheng doesn't want to be in the same column as Guo Moruo. He despises Guo Moruo's calligraphy very much, and once publicly challenged: "Can Guo Moruo's words also be called calligraphy?" Although such behavior is indeed arrogant, he has this capital, and many people also think that although they are equally famous, Kang Sheng's calligraphy is better than Guo Moruo's in artistic conception.
Guo Moruo didn't comment on Kang Sheng's calligraphy, but he once praised Kang Sheng's painting skills. Indeed, Kang Sheng's paintings are also a must, especially flowers, birds, fish and insects, which are very interesting and feel at that time, and can be juxtaposed with the former Badashan people.
At that time, Kang Sheng was praised so much, but he could not be the first person, because Qi Baishi was the most sought-after person in painting at that time. For Qi Baishi, Kang Sheng probably always harbored a resentment of "He Shengliang and Yu Tongsheng". Kang Sheng, who has always been a snob, how can he willingly fall behind Qi Baishi?
In order to compete with Qi Baishi, Kang Sheng even made a somewhat naive move. He took a pen name "Lu Chishui", which was specially used when painting.
Anyone with a discerning eye will know at a glance that Lu Chishui was named after Qi Baishi. Qi and Lu, white and red, and stone and water are a good couple. Kang Sheng seems to prove that he will never lose to Qi Baishi in this way.
The soul of art
Later, Kang Sheng created many paintings with similar themes to Qi Baishi, such as shrimp and lotus. Kang Sheng's lotus painting was really compared with Qi Baishi's after many years. The art world wants to distinguish these two people.
However, there are different opinions about painting. Both of them are masters of painting and calligraphy, and both have artistic attainments that others can't surpass in their lifetime. It is too difficult for future generations to give them a rank.
Some people say that of these two people, Kang Sheng's lotus is more vigorous, while others say that Qi Baishi's lotus has more personality. After a long debate, there was no result in the end.
No matter whether it can be compared with Qi Baishi or not, Kang Sheng's paintings are recognized as excellent. In recent years, Kang Sheng's paintings have been welcomed by collectors. On 20 16, a couple of Mo Hetu from Kangsheng sold for 5 million yuan at the auction. If you want to come to Kangsheng and know that your paintings have been so affirmed, you will feel sincerely gratified.
Kang Sheng devoted himself to politics, leaving few paintings and calligraphy works, which is often regrettable. If he can concentrate on being an artist, his life may be more wonderful and perfect, and the art world will add another dazzling star. Of course, Kang Sheng is so talented that even if art is not his main business, he is dazzling enough in the art world.
He is so excellent that it seems that people can forgive his arrogance for the time being. It's a pity that arrogance becomes conceited if it goes too far. It is difficult for him to stand on his side in the dispute with Guo Moruo and Qi Baishi. Even if scholars despise each other and their peers are jealous, it is too much. Isn't it an obsession that he imitates Qi Baishi?
Kang Sheng, as he is, is not perfect. He left more controversy than praise. Of course, if you simply regard him as an artist, his fame is not that important before and after his death, but his works are the most important.
His calligraphy and painting are vigorous, natural and unrestrained, with amazing artistic beauty, which may be the reason for his independence. After all, who wants to be the second in the art world?
His paintings and calligraphy have always been highly praised. Every year, Kang Sheng's paintings and calligraphy works are very popular in auction houses. The collection value behind this is precisely because of Kang Sheng's excellent works. Artists may not be perfect, but at least art is beautiful.