Effacements of Form

Abstract

The theme of this essay is expressed in a line from the Dao De Jing: “The great image has no form.” The essay shows how this effacement, annulment, or withdrawal of form is realized in ancient Chinese painting (Song and Ming Dynasties) and in the conception of the natural elements to which much of this painting is related. Certain resonances with this effacement of form are identified in the way that recent Continental thought focuses on an effacement of form as it was determined in ancient Greek philosophy.

Keywords

form / Guo Xi / horizon / image / landscape painting / mountain / Socrates

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2014 Higher Education Press and Brill