

Literati painter Dong Qichang believed that the power of art was not about its resemblance to the real world, but rather its ability to express an emotional quality. Therefore, the artist needed to abstract elements of the observable world into expressive brushstrokes. As your book explains, “in a painting of a rock, the rock itself is not expressive; rather, the brushstrokes that suggest the rock are expressive.” Do you agree with this statement? Define your position.