趙(zhao)左,為(wei)諸(zhu)生時,詩(shi)文即(ji)出眾,曾赴北(bei)京(jing),以一首(shou)秋(qiu)草詩(shi)一鳴驚人,人呼為(wei)“趙(zhao)秋(qiu)草”。后(hou)得(de)顧正誼賞識,讓(rang)他(ta)與(yu)宋(song)(song)懋晉向好(hao)友宋(song)(song)旭(xu)學畫(hua)(hua),此后(hou)畫(hua)(hua)名漸顯。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)水(shui)師法(fa)董源,兼學黃(huang)公望、倪瓚(zan)。畫(hua)(hua)云(yun)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)以己意出之,有(you)似(si)米(mi)(芾(fei))非米(mi)之妙。善用干筆(bi)焦墨而(er)又長于(yu)(yu)烘染,后(hou)受董其昌的(de)(de)畫(hua)(hua)風影(ying)響,形成(cheng)筆(bi)墨靈秀、設色雅(ya)致的(de)(de)風格。他(ta)與(yu)弟子沈士(shi)充、朱(zhu)軒、葉有(you)年、陳(chen)廉、李肇亨等構成(cheng)的(de)(de)藝(yi)術(shu)群體,被人們稱為(wei)“蘇松派”。論(lun)畫(hua)(hua)主張要得(de)所畫(hua)(hua)物象之勢(shi),應取(qu)勢(shi)布(bu)景交錯而(er)不繁亂。因(yin)一生窮困,曾為(wei)董其昌代筆(bi)。所著《大(da)愚庵遺集》已失(shi)傳,散落的(de)(de)詩(shi)文由(you)其子搜輯成(cheng)一集存世(shi)。傳世(shi)作(zuo)品有(you)萬歷(li)(li)三(san)十(shi)九年(1611)作(zuo)《秋(qiu)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)幽居圖(tu)》扇面(mian)(藏(zang)上(shang)海博物館(guan)(guan))、萬歷(li)(li)四(si)十(shi)年(1612)作(zuo)《溪山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)無盡圖(tu)》卷)收錄于(yu)(yu)《中國繪(hui)畫(hua)(hua)史圖(tu)錄》下(xia)冊)、萬歷(li)(li)四(si)十(shi)四(si)年(1616)的(de)(de)《長江(jiang)疊翠(cui)圖(tu)》卷(藏(zang)中國美(mei)術(shu)館(guan)(guan))等。另有(you)藏(zang)于(yu)(yu)故(gu)(gu)宮(gong)博物院的(de)(de)《富春(chun)大(da)嶺(ling)圖(tu)》卷,臺(tai)北(bei)故(gu)(gu)宮(gong)博物院藏(zang)《寒江(jiang)草閣圖(tu)》軸及(ji)上(shang)海博物館(guan)(guan)藏(zang)《仿大(da)癡秋(qiu)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)無盡圖(tu)》卷、《山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)水(shui)卷》等。
趙左師從宋旭。宋旭(1525-?年),字(zi)初旸,號石(shi)門,浙江(jiang)湖州人,后徙居上海松(song)江(jiang),以畫(hua)山(shan)水(shui)(shui)(shui)最為擅長,主要(yao)師法“明四家”之(zhi)一的沈(shen)周,風格雄勁古拙,為“松(song)江(jiang)派(pai)”之(zhi)祖。趙左的山(shan)水(shui)(shui)(shui)畫(hua)是以宋旭為基礎(chu),上溯源流,追摹(mo)董(dong)源、倪瓚(zan)筆意(yi),兼采米氏(shi)云山(shan)與黃子久淺絳法,善用干筆焦墨,長于烘染,水(shui)(shui)(shui)墨濕潤,極富神韻(yun)。清王原祁(qi)《佩(pei)文齋書畫(hua)譜》中即有(you)云:“(趙左)學于宋旭……其(qi)畫(hua)宗董(dong)源,兼有(you)黃公望、倪瓚(zan)之(zhi)意(yi)。”
趙左(zuo)受董其(qi)昌(chang)山水畫(hua)(hua)影(ying)響。董其(qi)昌(chang)是(shi)明(ming)代(dai)后(hou)期書(shu)畫(hua)(hua)大(da)(da)家,其(qi)山水畫(hua)(hua)理論(lun)與實(shi)踐(jian)影(ying)響了(le)明(ming)末乃(nai)至清(qing)代(dai)山水畫(hua)(hua)的(de)(de)發展(zhan),加之董氏社會地(di)位顯赫,官至南京禮部尚書(shu),以太(tai)子太(tai)保致仕,結交(jiao)了(le)大(da)(da)量的(de)(de)仕宦(huan)、文人和(he)書(shu)畫(hua)(hua)家,因此名重(zhong)一時,影(ying)從者甚(shen)眾。由于董其(qi)昌(chang)是(shi)松江人氏,因此當時松江地(di)區的(de)(de)許多畫(hua)(hua)派(pai)都以追隨(sui)董氏,強調摹古,重(zhong)視筆墨為潮流,而趙左(zuo)身(shen)處(chu)其(qi)間,在繪畫(hua)(hua)創作上受鄉賢之影(ying)響也是(shi)必(bi)然(ran)的(de)(de)。
趙(zhao)左與(yu)董(dong)(dong)氏是(shi)翰墨摯友,并有著長期的書(shu)畫(hua)交往,是(shi)董(dong)(dong)氏繪(hui)畫(hua)最重要的代(dai)筆(bi)(bi)人之一(yi)。對此,清朱彝(yi)尊(1629-1709年)在(zai)《論畫(hua)絕句十二首》中(zhong)(zhong)指出(chu)“隱君趙(zhao)左僧(seng)珂雪,每(mei)替香光應(ying)接忙(mang)。涇渭淄澠終有別,漫因(yin)題字概收藏。”又朱氏自注云:“董(dong)(dong)文(wen)(wen)敏疲于應(ying)酬(chou),每(mei)倩趙(zhao)文(wen)(wen)度(du)及雪公代(dai)筆(bi)(bi),親為書(shu)款。”同(tong)時(shi),清姜紹書(shu)(生卒年不(bu)(bu)詳(xiang))在(zai)《無聲詩(shi)史》中(zhong)(zhong)亦有云:“與(yu)董(dong)(dong)思白為翰墨友,流傳董(dong)(dong)跡,頗有出(chu)文(wen)(wen)度(du)手者。”可見,趙(zhao)左為董(dong)(dong)氏代(dai)筆(bi)(bi)在(zai)當(dang)時(shi)已是(shi)公開(kai)的秘(mi)密(mi),這也(ye)從(cong)一(yi)個(ge)側面反映了趙(zhao)左在(zai)繪(hui)畫(hua)上的功力確是(shi)不(bu)(bu)凡(fan)。
趙左(zuo)繪(hui)畫作品(pin)《山水冊》,現由金陵(ling)天渡樓收藏。
當(dang)然,趙(zhao)(zhao)左(zuo)為董其(qi)昌(chang)代筆與董氏(shi)原作(zuo)是(shi)(shi)有本質區別(bie)的(de)(de)。趙(zhao)(zhao)氏(shi)長于(yu)烘染,在(zai)樹木(mu)等的(de)(de)刻畫(hua)上(shang)立體感(gan)強,層次繁復,風格細(xi)潤,于(yu)繪(hui)畫(hua)技巧上(shang)更為精能,但筆墨(mo)功(gong)力(li)與董其(qi)昌(chang)相比(bi)則略(lve)顯單薄,這主要是(shi)(shi)由于(yu)董氏(shi)所具有的(de)(de)超凡書(shu)法(fa)功(gong)底是(shi)(shi)趙(zhao)(zhao)左(zuo)力(li)所不逮的(de)(de)。趙(zhao)(zhao)左(zuo)作(zuo)為“松(song)江派”山(shan)水(shui)的(de)(de)領袖,自(zi)具有其(qi)獨到之(zhi)處。《無聲(sheng)詩史(shi)》記其(qi)論畫(hua)一則,闡(chan)述了(le)他(ta)對山(shan)水(shui)畫(hua)創作(zuo)的(de)(de)藝術見解。他(ta)主張畫(hua)山(shan)水(shui),須(xu)得山(shan)川林(lin)木(mu)、樓觀舟車(che)、人物屋宇(yu)之(zhi)勢,做到取勢布(bu)景(jing),交(jiao)錯而不繁亂;景(jing)物布(bu)置,須(xu)一一自(zi)然合理;景(jing)色(se)先以朽筆勾出,然后落(luo)墨(mo),使景(jing)致、筆墨(mo)交(jiao)融,成畫(hua)后才富有意(yi)味。
他創(chuang)作(zuo)的(de)山(shan)(shan)水畫,亦力求體現(xian)這些(xie)思(si)想。景物(wu)大多較為繁(fan)復(fu),有時畫煙嵐(lan)云(yun)霧流動于層巒疊嶂(zhang)、坡(po)谷幽溪(xi)澗;并(bing)以斜徑、溪(xi)橋、房屋、樹木,掩映(ying)穿(chuan)插。筆(bi)墨方面,或(huo)用濃(nong)、濕(shi)、淺(qian)(qian)、淡的(de)墨色染(ran)出山(shan)(shan)巒向背(bei),同(tong)時漬出浮動的(de)白云(yun);或(huo)作(zuo)淺(qian)(qian)絳設色,與筆(bi)墨的(de)運用相融(rong)。還經常參用米氏(shi)父子、黃(huang)公望(wang)、倪(ni)瓚等畫家的(de)不同(tong)畫法。
他(ta)的(de)山水畫(hua)(hua)(hua)秀勁飄(piao)逸的(de)韻致也吸引了一大批(pi)松(song)江(jiang)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)家追(zhui)隨其(qi)左(zuo)右,如趙(zhao)泂、葉有(you)年、吳振、釋常瑩等,都從學于(yu)趙(zhao)左(zuo)繪(hui)畫(hua)(hua)(hua),使得明末(mo)清初的(de)松(song)江(jiang)畫(hua)(hua)(hua)壇呈(cheng)現出一派(pai)生機盎然的(de)景象。而趙(zhao)左(zuo)的(de)許多作品也為(wei)時人和(he)后世視為(wei)世襲之珍。
趙(zhao)左《溪山(shan)深秀圖(tu)(tu)》軸,絹本,設(she)(she)色(se),縱141厘米,橫63厘米,曾藏當代畫家郭(guo)味(wei)蕖處,郭(guo)先生(sheng)在手抄本《知(zhi)魚堂書畫錄(lu)(lu)》中有詳細(xi)著錄(lu)(lu),文(wen)記:“趙(zhao)文(wen)度仿子(zi)久(jiu)山(shan)水軸。絹本,設(she)(she)色(se),長四尺(chi)六寸,寬二尺(chi)。董其昌跋(ba)四行在上(shang)。‘溪山(shan)深秀,萬歷戊申冬十一月為儒(ru)仲(zhong)先生(sheng)畫,趙(zhao)左。’白文(wen)‘趙(zhao)左之印(yin)’方印(yin),白文(wen)‘文(wen)度氏’方印(yin)。‘文(wen)度為儒(ru)仲(zhong)作此圖(tu)(tu),可謂殉知(zhi)之合,峰巒渾厚(hou),草木華滋,有子(zi)久(jiu)意,其昌題。’朱(zhu)文(wen)‘竹朋鑒定(ding)’長方印(yin)。”
此圖(tu)所(suo)署年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)款“萬(wan)(wan)歷(li)(li)戊(wu)申”即萬(wan)(wan)歷(li)(li)三(san)(san)十(shi)六(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1608年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),屬(shu)趙左(zuo)早(zao)(zao)(zao)期(qi)(qi)作(zuo)品(pin)。根據目前(qian)對趙左(zuo)的(de)(de)研究,其生(sheng)卒年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)不祥,已知的(de)(de)記年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)作(zuo)品(pin)最早(zao)(zao)(zao)者成(cheng)于萬(wan)(wan)歷(li)(li)三(san)(san)十(shi)一年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1903年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),推測出生(sheng)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)代約(yue)在公(gong)元(yuan)1570年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)左(zuo)右,最晚者成(cheng)于崇禎六(liu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1633年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)),其享(xiang)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)當六(liu)十(shi)余歲。《溪山深(shen)秀圖(tu)》應創作(zuo)于三(san)(san)十(shi)余歲,故(gu)屬(shu)早(zao)(zao)(zao)期(qi)(qi)。趙左(zuo)畫風的(de)(de)發展與演變(bian),據現有研究成(cheng)果(guo),可歸納為(wei)三(san)(san)個階(jie)(jie)(jie)段(duan)(duan),萬(wan)(wan)歷(li)(li)四十(shi)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1615年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian))以前(qian)屬(shu)早(zao)(zao)(zao)期(qi)(qi)階(jie)(jie)(jie)段(duan)(duan),作(zuo)品(pin)有顯著的(de)(de)吳(wu)派影響(xiang)(xiang)與仿古傾向,仿古自唐、五代至宋、元(yuan),泛學諸家,各(ge)得(de)其要;題(ti)款字體(ti)方整,轉折圓柔。萬(wan)(wan)歷(li)(li)四十(shi)三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1615年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian))至泰(tai)昌元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1620年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian))屬(shu)中期(qi)(qi)階(jie)(jie)(jie)段(duan)(duan),逐(zhu)漸形(xing)成(cheng)自己面(mian)(mian)貌,部(bu)分(fen)作(zuo)品(pin)受(shou)董其昌較大影響(xiang)(xiang),造型已由精細、寫實(shi)轉為(wei)簡化(hua)(hua)、平面(mian)(mian)和形(xing)式化(hua)(hua),筆墨也由工(gong)謹變(bian)為(wei)自由活潑;款書字體(ti)漸趨瘦勁。泰(tai)昌元(yuan)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(1620年(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian))以后屬(shu)晚期(qi)(qi)階(jie)(jie)(jie)段(duan)(duan),自身面(mian)(mian)貌成(cheng)熟,表現出平淡天真風格(ge);款書也結(jie)體(ti)瘦長,用筆尖(jian)利,線條挺秀。此幅《溪山深(shen)秀圖(tu)》甚吻合(he)早(zao)(zao)(zao)期(qi)(qi)階(jie)(jie)(jie)段(duan)(duan)的(de)(de)風貌。