A Study of the Changes in Shi Tao’s Painting Ideas and Their Influence

Shi Tao was a prominent theorist of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties and a pivotal figure in the history of Chinese painting. His contributions to both painting and theory are significant. Known for his innovative approach and opposition to traditional norms, Shi Tao's artistic philosophy is characterized by originality and pioneering insights. He championed naturalness and the self-expression of individuality, firmly opposing retrofuturism. Shi Tao put forward the painting theory of “I use my own method”, although it seems to disregard the traditional law, in fact, it also has the traditional inheritance and development side. This paper analyzes the influence of Shi Tao's painting ideas on artistic creation from the two aspects of his painting ideas and changes in different periods and the significance of his artistic creation.