Introduction

The Art of Imperial China

Wu Zhen; Fisherman (Yuan Dynasty)

 

Art History

     Chinese art is mostly associated with landscapes and "bird-and-flower" paintings. The Imperial Age of China perfected both color painting and color printing, but some artists, such as those of the Shanghai School, focused on paying homage to traditional techniques. Calligraphy, the art of writing, was also prominent in Chinese art, and in the Imperial Age scholars turned to ancient writings for inspiration in their calligraphy.
        

Zhao Mengfu: Autumn Colors on the Que and Hua Mountains

       

Deng Shiru (Qing Dynasty)

  
       The start of the Imperial Age introduced porcelain. It was refined to such perfection that today the term for high-quality porcelain in the west is referred to as "china" in English.

明永樂-青花四季花卉紋洗

        As art, in the multiple forms it took through the Imperial Age, progressed through the Yuan to the Ming Dynasty, the common themes of rich landscapes, high-quality craftsmanship, and hints of both Buddhist and Taoist influence throughout the ages was prominent.

Popular Chinese Art Pieces

Wang Hui: Peach Blossom, Fishing Boat

 

磁胎洋彩官釉金花葫蘆轉旋瓶

        

Ni Zan; Sorrow While Traveling (Yuan Dynasty)

 

Wu Li; Green Mountains and White Clouds (Qing Dynasty)

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

The Ming Dynasty was a time of restoration and expansion. It consisted of large scale landscapes, flower-and-bird compositions, and figural narratives used to glorify the new dynasty. The art in this dynasty used the traditions of the Southern Song, an ink-wash style. Artists painted as a way to show their loyalty to the emperor and express their feelings. Other great contributions to art were calligraphy, ceramics, gardening and architecture, and painting.

Painting

Ceramics



The preparation of cobalt is used for underglaze blue decoration on the ceramics.

 

Tileworks Model of Sancai Pagoda

  The Ming dynasty involved an increase of innovation in ceramic manufacture. New techniques for color and painting were developed. This period exported porcelain around the world, beginning with the Wanli Emperor (1572-1620). Sophisticated porcelain was made for the imperial court. Many ceramic workshops were owned by the Emperor and a large amount were sent out as diplomatic gifts or for trade.

Gardens and Architecture

Forbidden City (Beijing, 1406)

The Inner Court of the Forbidden City

One of the greatest achievements of the Ming's architecture is the Forbidden City. It was the palace of Ming dynasty emperors. Nobody was allowed in or not without permission from the emperor. The Inner court is where the emperor lived.

The Ming Dynasty was well known for extravagant gardens. Gardens were mostly found among the rich, found in important places such as The Forbidden City.  Gardens played a key role in the culture of Chinese society and are still present today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J7IWe13k_c

Work Cited

"Ming." MIA Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Web. <http://archive.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/dynasty-ming.cfm>.

Early Qing Dynasty Art: 1644-1773

The early Qing Dynasty, ruled by the emperors Kangxi (1662-1722) and Qianlong (1736-1795), was a time of expansion in art.

There were three distinct and important styles which dominated Qing Art:

Traditionalism

Traditionalist artists of the Qing used old methods of Chinese art as inspiration to create new and modern pieces. These artists were often referred to as "the Orthodox School" because of their dedication to tradition. Artwork done by traditionalists would often include replicas of earlier art.

Wang Hui & Wang Shimin (1674&1677)

Wang Shimin (1666)

Important Artists: Wang Shimin and Wang Jian were the senior members of the Orthodox School who taught one of the most popular traditionalist artists of the Qing, Wan Hui, who incorporated many styles of art from past Chinese dynasties. 

Individualism

Individualist artists created art to pay homage to the fallen Ming dynasty and expressed their opinions of the new Qing dynasty. Many were Buddhist monks, who isolated themselves from society. They not only used paintings but also calligraphy and writings to communicate their discontent with the new dynasty. Nanjing, the former Ming capital, became a sanctuary for individualist artists.

 

Gong Xian (1697)

Important Artists: Gong Xian used ink dots of varying density and darkness to show texture and differences in distance and mass. 

Professionals
The professional painters of the Qing dynasty were often "commercial and court artists who often "specialized in large scale decorative works" that often adorned parts of the dynasty.

http://www.learn.columbia.edu/nanxuntu/html/art/

Portrait of an Imperial Bodyguard Zhanyinbao (Unknown artist, 1760)

Zhu Da (1699)

Important Artists: Descendants of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Da and Zhu Ruoji became important figures of Qing professional art.

Styles & Approaches

• Personal Expression as greater than Realism
• Personal expression as the highest form of art
• Art should not imitate external beauty but reflect internal beauty  http://www.learn.columbia.edu/nanxuntu/html/art/
• Poetry on Artwork
• Painters were invited to add to a painting of the past by adding their own poem or detail to its surface. This interesting characteristic was not only allowed but encouraged by later painters and commenters.

Wooded Mountains at Dusk (1666)
Continuity of a painting

• Expression of Space
• Illusion of receding space
• Movement within the image

 Huang Gongwang

• The unrolling of the scroll was important as it allowed to the viewer to control how much of the image to view at one time. This creates a constant shift of central focus and space.

http://www.learn.columbia.edu/nanxuntu/html/art/

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian-art/qing-dynasty.htm

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/qing_1/hd_qing_1.htm

Late Qing Dynasty Art 1774 to 1911

Overview of Late Qing Dynasty Art
Art in the Qing dynasty was steadily growing with the patronage of the emperors and the rise of amateur painters and craftsmen. Paintings became more popular and Qing Dynasty paintings were known for their lush decorations yet adherence to traditions. During this time the Shanghai School had the most influence over the art scene with many of the most influential artist of the time being members.

Wisteria
Wu Changshuo

Art Forms of the Late Qing Dynasty
There are many art forms that were popular during the Late Qing Dynasty. Three of the most popular art forms being:

• Guohua: This term when translated directly means "national painting". Its official definition is traditional Chinese painting. During this time period it meant that an artist used traditional materials to paint traditional subjects

Evening Glow on the Autumn Mountain
Ruan Yuan
19th Century

Dreaming in the Xiaoxin Pavilion
Pan Xuefeng
1794

Calligraphy: Although calligraphy may be thought of just fancy writing Chinese calligraphy is a national art form. It can be thought of as the "art of writing" and was immensely popular before painting became widespread.

"Calligraphy was revered as a fine art long before painting; indeed, it was not until the Song Dynasty, when painting became closely allied with calligraphy in aim, form, and technique, that painting shed its status as mere craft and joined the higher ranks of the fine arts"

Branch of Blossoming Plum
Wu Changshou
1892

• Pottery: One of the most widely known forms of Chinese art due to the popularity of Chinese porcelain art today. The making of pottery goes back to the neolithic period in China. Adding on to this China is the birthplace of porcelain. During the Qing Dynasty bright colors were introduced more prominently in pottery.

Bowl Painted with Orchids
(1644-1911)

Blue and White Shallow Plate
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

Famous Artists of Late Qing Dynasty
Ren Bonian: A painted who focused on traditional paintings. He was a member of the Shnaghai School which was a famous school of art in the Late Qing Dynasty. He is known for his use of color in his paintings and influenced Wu Changshuo.

Playing the Flute
Ren Bonian
1867-1870

Flowers and Antiques
Ren Bonian
1840-1896

Wu Changshou: Born to a family of scholars he later pioneered his own style often called "Wu style". It was characterized by strong brushstrokes and often poetic inscriptions. He did not start painting until the age of 30 after being urged by his colleagues. His first love was calligraphy and he slowly transitioned to painting.

Branch of Blossoming Plum, detail
Wu Chnagshou
1892

Zhao Zhiqian: Born to a merchant family Zhiqian sought higher education to work for the government. He was the leading artist of his day and in Beijing while trying to sell his art. He is known for his paintings and calligraphy and strong distinctive brush strokes

Flowers
Zhao Zhiqian
1859

Couplet
Zhao Zhiqian
1867

"Because one has forbearance, ones virtue is great; Because one does not deceive, ones thought are naturally sincere" (Translated by Jason C, Kuo).

Ren Xiong: A member of the Shanghai School and was an innovator of the traditional ways. He dominated the art scene at the time along with his his brother Ren Xun, son Ren Yu, and student Ren Yi. They were known as the "Four Rens" together. He is known for his profound strokes and depictions of heroes.

Self Portrait
Ren Xiong
1820-1857

Pheasants on a Rock
Ren Xiong

Figures in Landscape Setting
Ren Xiong

Figures in Landscape Setting
Ren Xiong

Art In The The Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)

During the Yuan Dynasty, painters turned more and more to express spirit and soul in their art. Scholar artists became the leading figures in painting, and they emphasized the expressive qualities inherent in brush and ink as a means of portraying personality, thought, and emotion. Their painting was characterized by simplicity, transcendence, and elegance. Court patronage of art was mainly limited to the Mongolian traditional arts such as textiles, jewelry, metalwork, and etc. Outside the court, cultural creativity in several of the arts, including calligraphy and painting, lost the traditional court patronage and set the stage for rise of scholar-amateurs (literati) to the center of the painting world.

Zhao Mengfu (1254-1322)

Regarded as one of the four master painters on the Yuan Dynasty. He was a versatile calligrapher and painter. His specialties included: horses, flowers, birds, landscapes, and figures.

"Elegant Rocks and Sparse Trees"

"Training the Horse"

"Bamboo"

Huang Gong Wang (1269-1354)

One of the four master painters, he was an innovative landscapist. He used two styles of painting, one involving the use of light purple colors, while the other was the use of black ink only.

"Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains"

"Stone Cliff at the Pond of Heaven"

"Clearing After Sudden Snow"

Ni Zan (1301-1374)

Zan's landscape paintings bring out the great importance of brush works in Chinese landscape painting. Scholars read his paintings of simple, almost barren, and unpeopled landscapes as expressive of a longing for a simpler, cleaner, and peaceful world. 

                  

"Six Gentlemen"

                                        

"Woods and Valleys of Mount Yu"

"Rongxi Studio"

Chinese Painting in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.art-virtue.com/painting/history/yuan/yuan.htm