University Chemistry ›› 2024, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (9): 189-195.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202312075

Special Issue:

• Science Education • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Green Mountains and Blue Waters Spanning Nine Centuries: Decrypting “The Picture of a Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains” from a Chemical Perspective

Wei Huang1, Weiwei Chen2, Yongxing Tang1   

  1. 1 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing 210094, China;
    2 Library, Communication University of China, Beijing 100024, China
  • Received:2023-12-24 Revised:2024-01-12 Published:2024-09-23
  • Contact: Yongxing Tang E-mail:yongxing@njust.edu.cn

Abstract: “The Picture of a Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains” stands as one of China’s ten great masterpieces, symbolizing not only the evolution of green landscape painting but also encapsulating a microcosm of ancient Chinese civilization. Handed down through centuries, this painting continues to radiate vibrancy and color, intricately intertwined with its materials, pigments, and binding agents. This article adopts a chemical perspective to meticulously analyze the pigments and binding agents employed in “The Picture of a Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains”, personifying them as “Brother Graphite”, “Aunt Ochre”, “Brothers Green and Blue”, “Miss Agate”, and “Uncle Gelatin”, elucidating their distinctive personalities and characteristics. Furthermore, it delves into their chemical components and physical properties, unveiling the magnificent secret behind the creation of “The Picture of a Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains” by these remarkable pigments. By provoking contemplation on the amalgamation of classical art and modern technology, this article strives to foster the convergence of art appreciation and technological innovation.

Key words: Cultural heritage, Pigments, Basic copper carbonate, Gelatin