A Companion to Chinese Art (Blackwell Companions to Art History)

List of figures -- Notes on contributors -- Introduction -- Historiographic perspective -- Overview of the chapters -- Part I. Production and distribution: 1. Court painting; 2. The culture of art collecting in imperial China; 3. Art, print, and cultural discourse in early modern China; 4. Art and early Chinese archaeological materials -- Part II. Representation and reality: 5. Figure painting: fragments of the precious mirror; 6. The language of portraiture in China; 7. Visualizing the divine in medieval China; 8. Landscape; 9. Concepts of architectural space in historical Chinese thought; 10. Time in early Chinese art -- Part III. Theories and termsL 11. The art of "ritual artifacts " (Liqi): discourse and practice; 12. Classification, canon, and genre; 13. Conceptual and qualitative terms in historical perspective; 14. Imitation and originality, theory and practice; 15. Calligraphy; 16. Emptiness-substance: Xushi -- Part IV. Objects and persons: 17. Artistic status and social agency; 18. Ornament in China; 19. Folding fans and early modern mirrors; 20. Garden art; 21. Commercial advertising art in 1840-1940s China -- Part V. Word and image: 22. Words in Chinese painting; 23. On the origins of literati painting in the Song Dynasty; 24. Poetry and pictorial expression in Chinese painting; 25. Popular literature and visual culture in early modern China -- Epilogue.;Exploring the history of art in China from its earliest incarnations to the present day, this comprehensive volume includes newly-commissioned essays spanning the theories, genres, and media central to Chinese art and theory throughout its history. The Volume Offers A Rich Insight Into China's Social And Political Institutions, Religious Practices, And Intellectual Traditions Alongside Chinese Art History, Theory, And Criticism. It Brings Together An International Team Of Scholars From East And West, Whose Contributions Range From An Overview Of Premodern Theory, To Those Exploring Calligraphy, Fine Painting, Sculpture, Personal Accessories, And More. In Addition, The Companion Reflects On Social And Cultural Issues, Such As The Challenges Of Comparative History, The Role Of The Artist In Society, The Contested Role Of Gender In Art Production, Different Theories Of Nature That Have Evolved Over Time, And Articulates The Direction In Which The Field Of Chinese Art History Is Moving. In Promoting A Comparative Understanding Of China's Long Record Of Cultural Production, This Volume Provides Students And Scholars Of Both Asian And Non-asian Art History With An Exceptional Guide To The History Of Art In China, From Its Earliest Incarnations To The Present Day. -- From Back Cover. Production And Distribution -- Representation And Reality -- Theories And Terms -- Objects And Persons -- Word And Image. Edited By Martin J. Powers & Katherine R. Tsiang. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Exploring the history of art in China from its earliest incarnations to the present day, this comprehensive volume includes two dozen newly-commissioned essays spanning the theories, genres, and media central to Chinese art and theory throughout its history.

• Provides an exceptional collection of essays promoting a comparative understanding of China's long record of cultural production
• Brings together an international team of scholars from East and West, whose contributions range from an overview of pre-modern theory, to those exploring calligraphy, fine painting, sculpture, accessories, and more
• Articulates the direction in which the field of Chinese art history is moving, as well as providing a roadmap for historians interested in comparative study or theory
• Proposes new and revisionist interpretations of the literati tradition, which has long been an important staple of Chinese art history
• Offers a rich insight into China's social and political institutions, religious and cultural practices, and intellectual traditions, alongside Chinese art history, theory, and criticism

Exploring the history of art in China from its earliest incarnations to the present day, this comprehensive volume includes two dozen newly-commissioned essays spanning the theories, genres, and media central to Chinese art and theory throughout its history. It provides an exceptional collection of essays promoting a comparative understanding of China's long record of cultural production ; brings together an international team of scholars from East and West, whose contributions range from an overview of pre-modern theory, to those exploring calligraphy, fine painting, sculpture, accessories, and more. It articulates the direction in which the field of Chinese art history is moving, as well as providing a roadmap for historians interested in comparative study or theory ; proposes new and revisionist interpretations of the literati tradition, which has long been an important staple of Chinese art history ; and offers a rich insight into China's social and political institutions, religious and cultural practices, and intellectual traditions, alongside Chinese art history, theory, and criticism A Companion to Chinese Art explores one of the world s greatest and richest artistic traditions. Including over two dozen newly-commissioned essays written by an international team of scholars from East and West, it examines the multi-faceted theories, genres, and media central to Chinese art throughout its history.