bagua7 wrote:Yixing master pots have much in common with works of other fields of art. Let's see:
They were both the outcome of historical and economic boom. The prime of Qing dynasty (Kangxi-Yongzheng-Qianlong) was a prime of Yixing teapot. They needed a financial mentor who could make them concentrate on what they do, just like painters of modern times did.
Also, beside rich guys there was a huge branch helped Yixing teapot see artistic level, its followers were scattered southern scholars after Manchurian dynasty was founded. Notably Chen Mansheng (mid-Qing), who created 18-style, after that collaboration with scholar, calligraphist and painters was often up to now.
Gu Jingzhou (b7 2nd pic) had a deep understanding of traditional Chinese arts and literature. To pass 'Yixing potter promotion exam', they need not only pot-making skills but also knowledge of history, arts and literature.