C hinese A rt

Buddhism Religion and Philosophy; began ~6 th and 4 th century BCE. Religion and Philosophy; began ~6 th and 4 th century BCE. Based on teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince. Based on teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian prince. Siddhartha abandoned life of luxury for knowledge and enlightenment. Siddhartha abandoned life of luxury for knowledge and enlightenment. When he reached Enlightenment/Nirvana, he becomes known as the Buddha ("the awakened one"). When he reached Enlightenment/Nirvana, he becomes known as the Buddha ("the awakened one"). Different branches of Buddhism -Theravada ("The School of the Elders“ and oldest surviving branch) and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle"). Different branches of Buddhism -Theravada ("The School of the Elders“ and oldest surviving branch) and Mahayana ("The Great Vehicle").

Buddhism (Cont.) Karma is the force that drives Sa ṃ s ā ra, the cycle of suffering and rebirth for each being. Good, skillful deeds and bad, unskillful actions produce "seeds" in the mind which result in consequences either in this life or in a subsequent rebirth. Karma is the force that drives Sa ṃ s ā ra, the cycle of suffering and rebirth for each being. Good, skillful deeds and bad, unskillful actions produce "seeds" in the mind which result in consequences either in this life or in a subsequent rebirth. Rebirth refers to a process where beings live a succession of lifetimes as one of many possible forms of life, each running from birth to death. Rebirth refers to a process where beings live a succession of lifetimes as one of many possible forms of life, each running from birth to death.

Buddhist Concepts Four Noble Truths: Life leads to suffering/uneasiness (dukkha) in one way or another. Life leads to suffering/uneasiness (dukkha) in one way or another. Suffering is caused by craving. Suffering is caused by craving. Suffering ends when craving ends. Eliminating delusion will result in reaching a liberated state of Enlightenment (bodhi). Suffering ends when craving ends. Eliminating delusion will result in reaching a liberated state of Enlightenment (bodhi). Reaching this liberated state is achieved by following the path (Eightfold Path) laid out by the Buddha; basically right living, attitudes, and meditations Reaching this liberated state is achieved by following the path (Eightfold Path) laid out by the Buddha; basically right living, attitudes, and meditations

Taoism Tao = “path” or “way” Tao = “path” or “way” Taoism emphasizes the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoism emphasizes the Three Jewels of the Tao: compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoist thought generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. Taoist thought generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. Harmony with the Universe Harmony with the Universe Balance between opposing forces (yin-yang) Balance between opposing forces (yin-yang)

Developed from the teachings of the philosopher Confucius The cultivation of virtue and the development of moral perfection Golden Rule: "do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you." Confucianism

Confucianism (Cont.) Social harmony Social harmony "Filial piety“ is among one of the greatest virtues. “Filial” characterizes the respect that a child should show to his/her parents. "Filial piety“ is among one of the greatest virtues. “Filial” characterizes the respect that a child should show to his/her parents. Loyalty was considered one of the greater human virtues. Loyalty to one's family came first, then to one's spouse, then to one's ruler, and lastly to one's friends. Loyalty was considered one of the greater human virtues. Loyalty to one's family came first, then to one's spouse, then to one's ruler, and lastly to one's friends.

Chinese Paintings Gu Kaizhi Gu Kaizhi is a notable painter of ancient China born in Wuxi. Gu Kaizhi is a notable painter of ancient China born in Wuxi. He wrote three books on painting theory. He wrote three books on painting theory. The three books were named, On Painting, Introduction of famous paintings of Wei and Jin Dynasties, and Painting Yuntai Mountain. The three books were named, On Painting, Introduction of famous paintings of Wei and Jin Dynasties, and Painting Yuntai Mountain. Three of Kaizhi’s paintings are still intact. Their names are, “Admonitions of the Instructstress to the Court Ladies.", "Nymph of the Luo River”and "Wise and Benevolent Women". Three of Kaizhi’s paintings are still intact. Their names are, “Admonitions of the Instructstress to the Court Ladies.", "Nymph of the Luo River”and "Wise and Benevolent Women". Gu Kaizhi’s painting, Admonitions Scroll

Calligraphy In ancient China just like painting, Calligraphy was one of the most appreciated works of art. In ancient China just like painting, Calligraphy was one of the most appreciated works of art. Amateurs, school officials, and aristocrats had the leisure to perfect the technique and sensibility necessary for great brushwork. Amateurs, school officials, and aristocrats had the leisure to perfect the technique and sensibility necessary for great brushwork. The equipment for painting Calligraphy are a brush pen, made of animal hair, and black inks, made from pine soot and animal glue. The equipment for painting Calligraphy are a brush pen, made of animal hair, and black inks, made from pine soot and animal glue. Writing and painting was originally done on silk, but with the invention of paper in the 1 st century, silk was quickly replaced. Writing and painting was originally done on silk, but with the invention of paper in the 1 st century, silk was quickly replaced. Wang Xizhi was a renowned Chinese Calligrapher in the 4 th century AD. His most famous work of art is the Lanting Xu, which is the preface for a collection of poems written by numerous poets. Wang Xizhi was a renowned Chinese Calligrapher in the 4 th century AD. His most famous work of art is the Lanting Xu, which is the preface for a collection of poems written by numerous poets.

Tang Dynasty ( ) In the Tang Dynasty, the primary subject matter of paintings was landscape. This was known as Shanshui painting. In the Tang Dynasty, the primary subject matter of paintings was landscape. This was known as Shanshui painting. In these paintings the purpose was to grasp an emotion or atmosphere so as to catch the feeling of nature. In these paintings the purpose was to grasp an emotion or atmosphere so as to catch the feeling of nature. Painting in this traditional style is done with a brush dipped in black or colored ink. The finished work is then mounted on scrolls, which can be hung or rolled up Painting in this traditional style is done with a brush dipped in black or colored ink. The finished work is then mounted on scrolls, which can be hung or rolled up Dong Yuan was an excellent painter in the Southern Tang Kingdom. Dong Yuan was an excellent painter in the Southern Tang Kingdom. He was recognized for his figure and landscape paintings, and his graceful style became the standard for brush painting in China over the next 900 years. He was recognized for his figure and landscape paintings, and his graceful style became the standard for brush painting in China over the next 900 years. He studied the styles of Li Sixun and Wang Wei, but added a number of techniques, including more sophisticated perspective, use of pointillism and crosshatching to build up vivid effect. He studied the styles of Li Sixun and Wang Wei, but added a number of techniques, including more sophisticated perspective, use of pointillism and crosshatching to build up vivid effect. Mountain Hall by Dong Yuan

Song Dynasty ( ) In the Song Dynasty more restrained expression appeared; vast distances were conveyed through the use of blurred outlines, mountain contours were vanishing into the mist, and impressionistic behavior of natural phenomena. In the Song Dynasty more restrained expression appeared; vast distances were conveyed through the use of blurred outlines, mountain contours were vanishing into the mist, and impressionistic behavior of natural phenomena. Paintings emphasized the spiritual qualities of the painting and the artist’s ability to expose the inner harmony of man and nature as perceived according to the Taoist and Buddhist concepts. Paintings emphasized the spiritual qualities of the painting and the artist’s ability to expose the inner harmony of man and nature as perceived according to the Taoist and Buddhist concepts. Liang Kai was a Chinese painter who lived during the Song Dynasty. He referred to himself as "Madman Liang," and spent his entire life drinking and painting. Eventually Liang retired and became a Zen monk and is recognized with inventing the Zen school of Chinese art. Liang Kai was a Chinese painter who lived during the Song Dynasty. He referred to himself as "Madman Liang," and spent his entire life drinking and painting. Eventually Liang retired and became a Zen monk and is recognized with inventing the Zen school of Chinese art. Wen Tong was another important figure in the Song Dynasty. Tong was famous for his ink paintings of bamboo. He was so impressive at painting bamboo that he could hold two brushes in one hand and paint two different distanced bamboos simultaneously. Wen Tong was another important figure in the Song Dynasty. Tong was famous for his ink paintings of bamboo. He was so impressive at painting bamboo that he could hold two brushes in one hand and paint two different distanced bamboos simultaneously.

Yuang and Min Dynasty Yuang Dynasty- Wang Meng was a prominent painter in the Yuan Dynasty and was known for his well known work the Forest Grotto. Wang Meng was a prominent painter in the Yuan Dynasty and was known for his well known work the Forest Grotto. Zhao Mengfu was a Chinese scholar, painter and calligrapher during the Yuan Dynasty. He rejected the placid brushwork of his age in favor of the more crude style of the 8th century. This was considered to have been a uprising that shaped the modern Chinese landscape painting. Zhao Mengfu was a Chinese scholar, painter and calligrapher during the Yuan Dynasty. He rejected the placid brushwork of his age in favor of the more crude style of the 8th century. This was considered to have been a uprising that shaped the modern Chinese landscape painting. Ming Dynasty- Chinese culture bloomed in the Ming Dynasty. There were narrative paintings, a wider range of color, and a busy composition. Chinese culture bloomed in the Ming Dynasty. There were narrative paintings, a wider range of color, and a busy composition. Illustrated manuals on the art of painting began to be published as the techniques of color printing were being perfected. Illustrated manuals on the art of painting began to be published as the techniques of color printing were being perfected. Jieziyuan Huazhuan is a five-volume work first published in 1679 and has been utilized as a technical textbook for artists and students ever since. Jieziyuan Huazhuan is a five-volume work first published in 1679 and has been utilized as a technical textbook for artists and students ever since.

Chinese Architecture The architecture was built according to severe rules of design which made Chinese buildings follow the way of Taoism as well as other Chinese philosophies The architecture was built according to severe rules of design which made Chinese buildings follow the way of Taoism as well as other Chinese philosophies Earlier than the Shang Dynasty, around the time of 1500 BC, Chinese buildings looked very similar to Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City (Beijing, 1450 AD). Long pillars and curved roofs were distinguishable. Palaces of Qin Dynasty and Chou Dynasty, continued in this style Earlier than the Shang Dynasty, around the time of 1500 BC, Chinese buildings looked very similar to Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City (Beijing, 1450 AD). Long pillars and curved roofs were distinguishable. Palaces of Qin Dynasty and Chou Dynasty, continued in this style Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City (Beijing, 1450 AD)

Chinese Architecture Continued The Chinese architecture altered throughout the Han dynasty around 200’s B.C, when Buddhism came to China The Chinese architecture altered throughout the Han dynasty around 200’s B.C, when Buddhism came to China The Buddhists who settled in China built Pagodas for sacred things The Buddhists who settled in China built Pagodas for sacred things Around the Tang (500 AD) and Sung dynasty (1000 AD) Pagodas began to become fancier as well as thinner with tall spires in order to make them look taller. Around the Tang (500 AD) and Sung dynasty (1000 AD) Pagodas began to become fancier as well as thinner with tall spires in order to make them look taller. Square pagoda in Shanghai is a Buddhist pagoda, containing a large statue of Buddha; it was a pilgrimage site. This type of architecture is closely associated with China. Square pagoda in Shanghai is a Buddhist pagoda, containing a large statue of Buddha; it was a pilgrimage site. This type of architecture is closely associated with China.

Chinese Sculpture Terracotta Army Carved during the short-lived Qin Dynasty in Mausoleum of First Qin Emperor Qin Shi Huang buried in BC 7,000 terracotta figures of horses and warriors had paint when unearthed in 1974; pigment has since faded; each head is unique.

Chinese Sculpture  Access to India, Middle East through the Silk Road results in Buddhist influence  Sculpture reaches zenith; time of prosperity and technological sophistication  Characterized by tri-colored ceramic figurines THE TANG DYNASTY ( CE)

Mogao Caves

Located in the center of Dunhuang in Gansu province Located in the center of Dunhuang in Gansu province It is made up of 492 temples in 25 kilometers It is made up of 492 temples in 25 kilometers The first cave was started in 366 AD The first cave was started in 366 AD Serves as a place for worship for Buddhists Serves as a place for worship for Buddhists Buddhist monks would put scriptures from the west in the caves while pilgrims that came in could paint murals on the walls Buddhist monks would put scriptures from the west in the caves while pilgrims that came in could paint murals on the walls Murals cover 450,000 square feet Murals cover 450,000 square feet Has some of the best Buddhist art that spans over 1,000 years Has some of the best Buddhist art that spans over 1,000 years Caves were closed off sometime after the 11 th century and rediscovered in the early 1900’s Caves were closed off sometime after the 11 th century and rediscovered in the early 1900’s First dated example of block printing First dated example of block printing Considered one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites of China Considered one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites of China

Yungang Grottoes

Near a city of Datong in the province Shanxi Near a city of Datong in the province Shanxi Constructed between AD during the Northern Wei dynasty by about 40,000 people Constructed between AD during the Northern Wei dynasty by about 40,000 people Grotto- a small cave or cavern Grotto- a small cave or cavern Used for worship (Buddhist temple grottoes) Used for worship (Buddhist temple grottoes) Place of privacy for private prayer Place of privacy for private prayer Composed of 53 grottoes, over 51,000 statues of Buddha, and over 1,000 niches Composed of 53 grottoes, over 51,000 statues of Buddha, and over 1,000 niches Contains traditional Chinese art with foreign influence- mostly Greek and Indian Contains traditional Chinese art with foreign influence- mostly Greek and Indian It is carved from the side of the Wuzhou Mountain and extends about 1 kilometer It is carved from the side of the Wuzhou Mountain and extends about 1 kilometer Considered one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites of China Considered one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites of China