Skeleton Illusion: An Iconographic Interpretation of the 
View of Life and Death and Cultural Code in Song Dynasty

Xiaohan Yu

doi:10.70711/rcha.v4i1.8893

Skeleton Illusion: An Iconographic Interpretation of the View of Life and Death and Cultural Code in Song Dynasty

Xiaohan Yu

Abstract

This study focuses on Li Song's masterpiece "Skeleton Illusion Play, " employing iconographic analysis to explore its profound
significance. Through meticulous examination of the painting's elements, it deciphers the work's embedded perspectives on life and death, religious philosophy, and the cultural characteristics of the Song Dynasty. The research examines the artwork's unique place in art history, its reflection of the Song Dynasty's evolving views on mortality and cultural integration, and its portrayal of the era's spiritual landscape. The study
aims to provide a comprehensive and insightful academic perspective for understanding this seminal artistic work.

Keywords

Skeletal Puppetry; Iconology; Views on Life and Death; Song Dynasty Culture; Li Song

Full Text:

PDF

Included Database

References

[1] Zhang Xingyi. An analysis of "The Skull Puppet Show" from the perspective of iconology [N]. Dahe Art News, 2024-11-15 (008).

[2] Ding Ruolan. "The Skull Fantasy Play" in the Context of Iconology [J]. Calligraphy and Painting World, 2024, (08):83-84.

[3] Wang Lulin. An Analysis of the Visual Connotations in Li Song's "Skeleton Illusion Play" [J]. Calligraphy and Painting World, 2023,

(02):78-79.

[4] Tang Chenqi. An Analysis of Li Song's "Skeleton Illusion Play" [J]. Research on Art Education, 2022, (23):13-16.

[5] Han Zhisong. The Debate Between 'Life' and 'Death' A Reading of Li Song's' Skeleton Illusion Play' [J]. Art Review, 2021, (30):40-41.

[6] Zhang Ni. On the "Truth" and "Illusion" in "The Skull Illusion Play" [J]. Journal of Suzhou University of Science and Technology (Social

Sciences Edition), 2021, 38(05):101-106+108.

[7] Lu Fei. A Study on the Authentication and Collection of "The Skull and Phantom Play" [J]. Journal of Fine Arts, 2020, (04):95-101.

[8] Xiao Wei. "The Skull Puppet Show" and the Living Conditions of Common People in the Southern Song Dynasty [J]. Popular Literature

and Art, 2019, (21):67-68. DOI: 10.20112/j.cnki.issn1007-5828.2019.21.041.

[9] Song Jingjie. A Brief Analysis of Li Song's "Skeleton Illusion Play" [J]. Art and Technology, 2017, 30(12):253.

[10] Tang Wenwen. "Never Told to Die, Never Told to Live" An Analysis of Li Song's "Skeleton Illusion Play" [D]. China Academy of

Art, 2015.

[11] Geng Jipeng, Zheng Xiaohong. Analysis of Li Song's' Skeleton Illusion Play' from the Southern Song Dynasty[J]. Rongzhai, 2013,

(09):116-123. DOI: 10.14131/j.cnki.rbzqk.2013.09.007.

[12] Ma Qing. Life and Death as Illusion and PlayRevisiting Li Song's' Skeleton Illusion Play' [J]. Art Garden, 2009, (08):16-18.

[13] Liao Ben. "The Skull Puppet Show" and Puppetry [J]. Cultural Relics World, 2002, (12):24-27.

[14] Sun Chenxu. Comparison of Skull Motifs and Themes in Chinese and Western Paintings: A Case Study of "Ghostly Fun" and "Dance of

Death" [J]. Cultural and Artistic Research, 2017, 10(02):154-164.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.70711/rcha.v4i1.8893

Refbacks

There are currently no refbacks.