Utterances for Paintings by Shi Tao (1642-1707) is a profound work that encompasses a vast range of topics. It references Confucius, Taoist, and Buddhist philosophies and leaves room for open, polysemic, multi-layered interpretations. Oftentimes, a painting could be interpreted in many different ways based on the viewer’s personal experiences with art and in life. Shi Tao’s work continues to have profound influence on Chinese calligraphers and painters in the modern period. In addition to examining the influence that the teachings of Zen had on Shi Tao’s art and theoretical system, this paper proposes further studies on Shi Tao’s interpretation on the principles of “one-stroke” and the wrinkling techniques applied in his landscape ink paintings.
