The Art and Architecture of China (Hist of Art)

Any student of Chinese art realizes that the accomplishments of Western scholars in this vast field are infinitesimal in comparison with what must be done before a true and well rounded picture of Chinese material culture throughout almost four millennia can be evoked. Nevertheless, the progress that has been made in the past few decades can justify the present attempt to present a general survey. With almost 4000 years of artistic evolution - from the Shang Dynasty to the end of the Ch'ing in this century - the Chinese boast a longer span of cultural history than any other race. The abiding influence of tradition is stressed by both authors. Confucian restraint and Taoist escapism, among other religious and philosophical ideals, are constantly re-appearing and the importance of Buddhism in Chinese architecture is evidenced in the text and illustrations. But side by side with the world of the mind, conditions of material prosperity are also revealed as potent forces in art. Pt.1. Painting And Sculpture By Lawrence Dickman. Pt.2. Architecture By Alexand Ra Soper. Painting And Sculpture, By L. Sickman.--architecture, By A. Soper. [by] Laurence Sickman And Alexander Soper. Bibliography: P. [493]-499. Pt. 1. Painting and sculpture by Lawrence Dickman. pt. 2. Architecture by Alexand ra Soper Painting and sculpture, by L. Sickman. Architecture, by A. Soper.