A BEAUTIFUL YELLOW ORIOLE. THE POETICS OF TAOIST PAINTING IN THE REFLECTIONS OF CHINESE ARTISTS

The article is devoted to the reason for the originality of images generated by Taoist contemplative practice and embodied in Chinese painting. The poetics of these images is the result of individual experiences in the perception of nature, when it is not the image of nature itself that is fixed, but a sensory-emotional reaction to it, which is called “drawing a pattern on top of a pattern”. It is shown that, in turn, it is these images that have become canonical to a certain degree: experience of the incomprehensibility of nature, refinement of sensual states, serenity, sense of belonging to noble ideals. In such an interpretation of images, the quality of Taoist thought as a reflection of the worldview system is enhanced. Artists as philosophers are the bearers of this worldview system. Contemplating their works, the viewer is imbued with their sense of admiration for nature, unity with it. The article shows how a feeling of a flow of moods arises as nature changes every second. But in the last reflection, the artist must return to inner strength and freedom and bestow them upon people, bearers of Chinese public morality and culture.