Peking Opera Face-paint Masks - Jiang Shang

Introducing “Peking Opera Jing Face-paint Masks” collection by C.7 Design Studio, showcasing meticulous digital paintings of various face paint patterns utilised by Peking Opera traditional Chinese theatre school, stylised in a form of masks. Here you will find framed and wrapped/stretched canvas fine art prints, featuring the Peking (Beijing) Opera Face-paint Mask - Jiang Shang (姜尚). Peking opera or Beijing opera (simplified Chinese: 京剧; traditional Chinese: 京劇; pinyin: Jīngjù) is a form traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognised by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court. Major performance troupes are based in Beijing and Tianjin in the north, and Shanghai in the south. The art form is also preserved in Taiwan, where it is known as Guoju). It has also spread to other countries such as the United States and Japan. Peking opera features four main types of performers. Performing troupes often have several of each variety, as well as numerous secondary and tertiary performers. With their elaborate and colourful costumes, performers are the only focal points on Peking opera's characteristically sparse stage. They utilise the skills of speech, song, dance, and combat in movements that are symbolic and suggestive, rather than realistic. Above all else, the skill of performers is evaluated according to the beauty of their movements. Performers also adhere to a variety of stylistic conventions that help audiences navigate the plot of the production. The layers of meaning within each movement must be expressed in time with music. The music of Peking opera can be divided into the Xipi and Erhuang styles. Melodies include arias, fixed-tune melodies, and percussion patterns. The repertoire of Peking opera includes over 1,400 works, which are based on Chinese history, folklore, and, increasingly, contemporary life. The Jing is a painted face male role. Depending on the repertoire of the particular troupe, he will play either primary or secondary roles. This type of role will entail a forceful character, so a Jing must have a strong voice and be able to exaggerate gestures. Peking opera boasts 15 basic facial patterns, but there are over 1000 specific variations. Each design is unique to a specific character. The patterns and colouring are thought to be derived from traditional Chinese colour symbolism and divination on the lines of a person's face, which is said to reveal personality. Easily recognisable examples of colouring include red, which denotes uprightness and loyalty, white, which represents evil or crafty characters, and black, which is given to characters of soundness and integrity. Jiang Shang, or Jiang Ziya, with an old pink full face, the leading character in Wei River, adapted from an episode in Canonisation of the Gods. King Wen of Zhou, seeking capable men to help him establish his dynasty, met Jiang Shang on the banks of the Wei and made him his prime minister.