From Water-element to Water-theme: A Study on the Creative Transformation in Chinese Landscape Painting

This paper breaks away from the traditional research paradigm of landscape-water integration and proposes the theoretical framework of an independent water-theme creative system. By constructing a dual-analysis framework centered on water-element and water-theme, this study systematically examines the historical reasons behind water-element’s long-standing subordinate status in traditional landscape painting, revealing how hyper-stable structures constrain the development of water-theme. Based on an analysis of historical cases such as Ma Yuan’s Water Scene, this study focuses on examining the diverse explorations of modern and contemporary artists in water-theme creations. It proposes an innovative development path of drawing inspiration from nature while integrating Eastern and Western perspectives, providing theoretical support and practical reference for the transformation of contemporary Chinese landscape painting.