Chapter 2: Topics in Chinese Art

Name: Instructor: Institution affiliation: Date: Chapter 2: Topics in Chinese Art This chapter describes and illustrates how various topics attached to Chinese Art reflect the class structure that has existed in different times in Chinese history. As a result, art associated with the tomb of the Emperor Qin, Neolithic to first Empire, and use of Chinese characters (calligraphy and painting) make up the chapter. One thing that both topics agree on is how early Chinese art served as a means to submit to the will of the gods through sacrifice and ritual. For instance, the earliest wall paintings depicted emperors, loyal generals, and royal ministers opposite to evil activities as a warning that good and evil do not mix. However, as Chinese art developed, topics also developed and moved from sacrifice and propitiation to the expression of human understanding. This is commonly referred to as metaphysical; Daoist aspect of Chinese art. Consequently, the development in all topics of art developed painting and calligraphy. Calligraphy One unique topic among all other topics in Chinese art is calligraphy. It is often described as writing in form of fine art, which is considered supreme to all other visual arts in China. However, calligraphy not only requires fine judgment and immense skills, it reveals the character’s thoughts and opinion about a certain object or topic. Therefore, due to finer points and art involved in calligraphy, those who judged such work possessed experience and sensibility of a high order. Early Chinese emperors viewed calligraphy a spiritual attunement that facilitated spiritual communication. As a result, during the Shang and Zhou periods, calligraphy was under the authority of the courts (Höllmann p 65). The idea behind the regulation was to only allow those who were remarkably fine in art to undertake calligraphy. Chapter 3: South Asia: The Indus Valley Civilization The Indus Valley civilization was a Bronze Age civilization in the northwestern regions of South Asia that occurred between 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE and was at peak between 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE, which is commonly referred to as Harappan period. Consequently, Harappa was the first of a number of cities to be excavated in the 1920s revealing an advanced urban culture that consisted of water supply systems, baked brick houses, and sanitation systems. Nevertheless, the civilization areas stretched from northeast Afghanistan through Pakistan to into northwestern and western India. However, the civilization mostly flourished in the basins of the Indus River, which flows through Pakistan. On the other hand, the injustices of the Hindu caste system during the civilization prompted the development of Buddhism, which encouraged fairness in all dealings. Consequently, Buddhist art and architecture emerged. Origin of Buddhism Buddhism emerged from Siddharta who was a prince that lived in the foothills of the Himalayas. However, when he saw the injustices of the caste system, he felt discontented thus searched for enlightenment through abandonment of basic needs. Consequently, after 40 days, he attained enlightenment and became known by the title of Buddha. He spread his philosophy freely and those who saw the injustices of the caste system joined him. The Buddha died and passed into a state of nirvana, where the ultimate state of salvation is attained. In the 3rd century, many leaders such as Ashoka were troubled by the effects of the consequences of war thus converted into Buddhism (Bapat, p 25). Ashoka promoted Buddhist by sending monks to surrounding territories; however, it is in China and Japan that Buddhism was widely accepted. With the spread of Buddhism, its philosophies became part of certain Chinese culture. Chapter 4: Buddhist art in India and China This chapter illustrates how people in India and China not only adopted Buddhism as a religion, but incorporated its art in their culture. As a result, in Asia, India is the only country that has preserved and developed Buddhism and its art than China. The range of Chinese Buddhist art is vast, ranging from the later Han dynasty into the Qing dynasty. Consequently, Chinese culture has and used Buddhist art in paintings, drawings, sculpture, cave temple art, architecture, decorations, and ritual arts. Due to their preservation of Buddhism art, the chapter notes that both China and India have helped in the introduction of schools that promote Bud...