画坛名声，未必尽与实力相符。张大千、齐白石可谓人尽皆知，然有默默无闻之画家，技艺亦精妙绝伦。周元亮，便是其一。虽不及齐、张之名盛，然其山水造诣，亦为画坛所称道。

In the art world, fame does not always equate to true ability. Zhang Daqian and Qi Baishi are household names, but there are many lesser-known artists whose skills are equally exquisite. Zhou Yuanliang is one such artist. Although his name may not be as renowned as Qi and Zhang, his mastery in landscape painting is still highly regarded in the art community.

周元亮，字容庵，生于光绪三十年甲辰，京城人也。自幼好书画，八岁入私塾习字，随即研习丹青。民国九年庚申，考入北京中国画研究会，师从陈师曾、汤定之、金北楼、萧谦中诸名家，得以博采众长，渐成自家风骨。

周元亮，北派山水画坛要人，与吴镜汀、吴光宇、陶一清、惠孝同、何镜涵、关松房、祁昆诸画家齐名。其画风骨力雄峻，古朴凝重，承清初“四王”遗韵，溯宋元明诸大家之法，自成一格。周元亮画作，誉满四方，屡展于国内外。其山水构图严谨，景致稠密，风格清雅脱俗。兼工花卉，尤擅梅竹，清新隽秀，别具一格。虽未如齐、张之名盛，然其艺术成就，亦不容忽视。

早于民国二、三十年间，周元亮已在京津沪等地设个展，荣宝斋挂笔，画作广传。其求新求变，兼收并蓄，既融古典精髓，亦合现代气息，形成独特风貌。

Zhou Yuanliang, courtesy name Rong'an, was born in the Year of the Dragon during the 30th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, in Beijing. From a young age, he showed a passion for calligraphy and painting, entering private school at the age of eight to study calligraphy, soon followed by learning traditional Chinese painting. In 1920, he was admitted to the Beijing Chinese Painting Research Association, where he studied under masters such as Chen Shizeng, Tang Dingzhi, Jin Beilou, and Xiao Qianzhong, allowing him to absorb a variety of techniques and gradually develop his own distinctive style.

Zhou Yuanliang was a prominent figure in the Northern School of landscape painting, on par with artists such as Wu Jingting, Wu Guangyu, Tao Yiqing, Hui Xiaotong, He Jinghan, Guan Songfang, and Qi Kun. His style is robust and grand, with an ancient, solemn quality that carries the legacy of the "Four Wangs" from the early Qing Dynasty, while also drawing from the techniques of Song, Yuan, and Ming masters, creating a unique personal style. Zhou's work was praised widely and exhibited both domestically and internationally. His landscapes are meticulously composed, with dense scenes and a refined, elegant style. He was also skilled in painting flowers, particularly excelling in plum blossoms and bamboo, which were fresh and graceful, distinctive in their charm. Although not as famous as Qi and Zhang, Zhou's artistic achievements are not to be overlooked.

As early as the 1920s and 1930s, Zhou Yuanliang had already held solo exhibitions in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, and his works were sold through Rongbaozhai, spreading far and wide. He constantly sought innovation and change, absorbing the essence ofical techniques while integrating modern elements, thus forming a unique artistic style.

戊戌十一月，古一舟、惠孝同、周元亮、陶一清、何镜涵、松全森六君子聚于北京画院，携手绘制《首都之春》长卷。此卷高二尺三寸五分，长一百三十八尺二寸，历时七月，至己亥六月功成。

卷尾题跋，详述其内容：通县、八里桥土高炉群、热电厂、天安门、柳浪庄人民公社、颐和园、石景山炼钢厂、丰沙线及官厅水库九段，形神毕肖。画者欲借此献礼祖国十周年国庆，此其衷心所感，亦所幸焉。

卷长四十六丈，丹青妙手，绘首都名胜古迹，市井民生，大炼钢铁之举，工业建设之景。现实精描，社会风貌，百态毕现，堪称五十年代京城生活之全史。

周元亮工笔独具，尤擅水库题材。其《官厅水库》曾入选第三届全国美展。戊戌年间，《我们一定要把水库修好》参展北京中国画研究会，名噪一时。故此长卷官厅水库段，当为周元亮所绘。诸画师心血凝铸，时代风华，定格于此。

In November of 1958, six artists—Gu Yizhou, Hui Xiaotong, Zhou Yuanliang, Tao Yiqing, He Jinghan, and Song Quansen—gathered at the Beijing Academy of Painting to collaboratively create the long scroll Spring in the Capital. This monumental piece, measuring 2.35 feet in height and 138.2 feet in length, took seven months to complete, finally being finished in June of 1959.

The inscription at the end of the scroll details its content: scenes of Tong County, Baliqiao's earthen furnace clusters, the thermal power plant, Tiananmen, Liulangzhuang People's Commune, the Summer Palace, Shijingshan Steel Plant, the Fengsha Railway, and Guanting Reservoir, all vividly depicted. The artists aimed to present this work as a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, a sentiment that filled them with pride and joy.

This 46-meter-long scroll, painted with masterful skill, captures the landmarks of the capital, the lives of its people, the Great Leap Forward's steel production efforts, and scenes of industrial construction. With meticulous attention to detail, it records the social atmosphere and the varied aspects of life in 1950s Beijing, serving as a comprehensive chronicle of the city's history during that era.

Zhou Yuanliang was particularly skilled in meticulous brushwork and was renowned for his depictions of reservoirs. His work Guanting Reservoir was selected for the third National Art Exhibition. In 1958, his piece We Must Build the Reservoir Well was exhibited at the Beijing Chinese Painting Research Association, gaining significant acclaim. Therefore, it is likely that Zhou was the one who painted the Guanting Reservoir section of the scroll. The combined efforts of these artists captured the spirit of their time, preserving it in this magnificent work.

周元亮不囿于传统技法传承，亦融与时俱进精神。其山水画中，常见汽车、劳作之人，与时事紧密相连，昭示其对时代之敏锐洞察。周之画作，既含古韵，又寓现代气息，既承宋代山水高雅，亦为当代山水注入新生。周元亮巧妙结合传统技法与当代田园风景，作品既具深厚文化底蕴，亦不乏时代之生动。此等艺术之融汇，使其作品在当时画坛独树一帜，尽显超然才情。虽未如名家大放异彩，然其艺术成就，亦足以不逊于人。

Zhou Yuanliang did not confine himself to the mere transmission of traditional techniques but also infused his work with a contemporary spirit. His landscape paintings often feature cars and people at work, closely reflecting the realities of the time and showcasing his keen observation of the era. His work is imbued with both ancient charm and modern vitality, maintaining the elegance of Song Dynasty landscapes while breathing new life into contemporary landscape painting.Zhou Yuanliang skillfully blended traditional techniques with contemporary pastoral scenes, creating works that are rich in cultural depth yet vibrant with the spirit of the time. This artistic fusion allowed his paintings to stand out in the art world of his era, fully demonstrating his extraordinary talent. Although he did not achieve the widespread fame of other masters, his artistic achievements are by no means inferior.

周元亮之艺创新尤为珍贵。值此崇尚传统之时，彼勇于探新径，将古典技法融入现代创思，为山水画传承开辟新途。其作耐人寻味，亦为后人提供丰厚借鉴。其艺成与创新精神，诚堪敬仰与学习。

中国画坛，默默无闻而实力卓越者众多。此辈虽未广为人知，然其艺创却为传统文化传承与创新作出不朽贡献。周元亮山水画，以独特风格与深厚造诣，为世人展现别样美学视野。

Zhou Yuanliang's spirit of artistic innovation is particularly precious. In an era that revered tradition, he boldly explored new paths, integratingical techniques with modern creative thought, thus opening new avenues for the inheritance of landscape painting. His works are thought-provoking and provide rich insights for future generations. His artistic achievements and innovative spirit are truly worthy of admiration and emulation.

In the Chinese art world, there are many who are little-known yet possess extraordinary talent. Although these individuals may not be widely recognized, their artistic creations have made indelible contributions to the transmission and innovation of traditional culture. Zhou Yuanliang's landscape paintings, with their unique style and profound artistry, offer a distinct aesthetic vision to the world.

责任编辑：苗君