A research on the shaping of the embroidered portraits in the Qing edition of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

摘要

Taking the eight Qing illustrated editions of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, 120 pieces of embroidered portraits in total, as research objects, this study uses the content analysis to discuss the shaping characteristics. (1) Features of the embroidered portraits: the feature contents include the figure proportion, facial shaping, helmet caps, costumes, accessories, boots and shoes, handheld objects and posture, and so on. It is found through arrangement that, in the aspect of the figure proportion, there are 100 six-head bodies and 94 faces with a mustache. Their costumes are of the Ming dress style, all in helmet caps to represent their identity and official positions, and mostly with waist accessories. The styles of boots and shoes include shoes and boots, and the handheld objects are usually Chinese ancient weapons. There are 114 pieces whose body postures take on the angle of 45 degrees, and 87 pieces whose head postures take on the angle of 45 degrees. The movements of their hands and feet present the basic skills and performance procedures of Peking opera. Through the above-mentioned eight items and the applications of the computer layer overlying technique, and then observing the line scribing manifestation, it is speculated that either the edition of Guanhuatang or the edition of Sanhuatang can be the block-printed one. In the edition of Baohualou, there are four embroidered portraits presenting conditions similar to right and left mirror reflection. It is inferred that it is made through slight modification after referring to several editions. (2) Features of edition: the figures in the edition of Xiaoshishanfang are of small and short proportion, while those in the edition of Shaoyeshanfang are of big and tall proportion with gorgeous shaping. The limb actions in the edition of Tongyinguan are the most abundant.