Chinese art

Chinese art is the art that has its origins in ancient or modern China or exercised by Chinese artists, and thus is an expression of Chinese culture.

• 4.1 Visual Arts
• 4.2 Literature
• 4.3 Architecture
• 4.4 Music
• 4.5 Miscellaneous

• 5.1 Influence of Buddhism
• 5.2 Literature
• 5.3 Calligraphy
• 5.4 painting

• 6.1 Buddhist large sculpture
• 6.2 Tang ceramics
• 6.3 Literature 6.3.1 Poetry
• 6.3.2 amendment

• 7.1 Literature
• 7.2 painting
• 7.3 Lackkunst
• 7.4 wallpapers

• 8.1 Music / Drama
• 8.2 painting

• 9.1 Literature
• 9.2 painting
• 9.3 woodcut
• 9.4 porcelain
• 9.5 Lackkunst

General

Unlike in the " West ", the history of art has always experienced sharp cuts in the form of style changes, the Chinese art is characterized over the centuries by an astonishing continuity. In the Ming novella ( 14th to 17th century ) is still widely its model from the Tang time to realize ( 7th to 10th century). Landscape painting of Qing painter ( 17th to 20th century) are constructed basically similar to those of the Song Dynasty (10th -13th centuries). One reason for this is that in China always used " respect for tradition ". It is not the creation of something new was the primary goal of an artist, but the original as possible imitation of role models for the elderly - which is felt by the way in any way as plagiarism or otherwise as unfair. Ultimately, this view is based in the Confucian world view, which, inter alia, the student enjoins the worship of the Master.

But the other spread in China religious and philosophical teachings repeatedly won considerable influence on the creation of art. Neither the Chinese painting nor the poems of the Tang poets would be conceivable without the about Daoism. Even thematically, they often deal with the postulate of a life in harmony with nature. But the Technique reveals influences of Taoist yin and yang theory, as in the dialectical exchange between painted and empty areas, or in the contrast between "wet" and " dry" brush strokes. In addition, of course, figures of Taoist mythology appear again and again in works of Chinese art. Weaker, however, are the influences of Buddhism, especially since this has been partially sinicized over time beyond recognition. From the 16th century were, in particular mediated by the activity of European missionaries, and Western influences also.

Carrier of Chinese art were for financial reasons mostly the imperial court and courtly and scholarly circles. There were particularly in literature and painting also lonely artist personalities that far away from the people in the countryside, in mountain valleys created their works or the like. Mostly, however, these are by scholars or even former officials who had returned from frustration or disgust with the prevailing political conditions of the world back. An increase of this movement was usually observed after dynasty change, had taken over particularly well suited as the mid-17th century, the Manchu Qing Dynasty as the power.

Radiation effects of Chinese art are to be observed in the entire East Asian region. Particularly pronounced they are naturally in areas that at times were under Chinese rule as the " vassal states " Korea and Vietnam, or were colonized by Chinese (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia). But even the Japanese art owes the Middle Kingdom in this respect very much. In some areas succeeded the epigones even to surpass their model, such as in Japan to the highest Bloom came lacquer art. Especially porcelain - - From the 16th century Chinese works of art have been exported to more widely to Europe, where they gained influence on Western art.

The art of Taiwan and the Chinese immigrants can be considered as part of Chinese art where it has its roots.

Historical development to 221 BC

Neolithic pottery

Early forms of Chinese art were found in the Neolithic Yangshao culture (仰韶文化), which dates back to the 6th millennium BC. Archaeological finds such as that of Banpo have revealed that in the Yangshao period already Pottery was operated; the early ceramic products were often unpainted, often rejecting plastic cord structures. Among the earliest decorative elements were fish and human faces, but eventually evolved into symmetrical - geometric abstract designs, many of them painted.

Prominent feature of Yangshao culture was the extensive use of painted pottery, especially human faces, animal figures and geometric patterns. Unlike the later Longshan culture, the Yangshao culture did not yet know the potter's wheel. According to the findings of archaeologists the Yangshao society was based on matriarchal clans organized. Excavations have shown that children were buried in painted pottery vessels.

Jade culture

The Liangzhu jade culture was the last Neolithic jade culture in the Yangtze River Delta and lasted about 1300 years. The jade art this time characterize finely worked large ritual vessels such as Cong - tubes, Bi discs, Yue axes and pendants and charms in the form of finely engraved birds, turtles and fish. The Liangzhu Jade distinguished by their milky white color, which is due to their tremolitischen origin.

Bi-Disk ( Zhou )

Double -headed jade dragon ( Zhou )

Jade dragon ( Zhou )

Bronze Art

The Bronze Age in China began with the Shang dynasty, which is known for its detailed joyful bronze art. The forging of the era usually worked in workshops outside of the cities and placed there especially her ritual vessels and car fittings. The bronze vessels were used for recording various liquids, which were used in religious ceremonies. Nice to see the Ku and Jue - vessels, but the most impressive thing appears, a dreifüßiger pitcher.

On vessels of the Shang period typically the entire available surface was provided with decor, often with stylized forms existing in reality as imaginary animals. The most common motif is the taotie, a flat - symmetrical depicted mythical creatures. According to one interpretation, it should thereby be a lustful man who has been condemned to punishment to defend one of the four corners of heaven against evil monsters. According to another view Taotie is a monster that only consists of a head and therefore, in his attempts to devour people, only themselves injured.

In the transition from the Shang to the Zhou dynasty gradually transformed form and function of the bronzes. They were now more in secular purposes. In the period of Warring States bronze vessels were even the object of aesthetic pleasure: now frequently occurred banquet and hunting scenes, while others are abstract pattern with gold and silver deposits and precious gems had. Also polished bronze mirrors were manufactured reinforced.

Great appreciation experienced the bronzes of the Shang period later in the Song Dynasty. It was based not only on their shape and design, but also on the green, blue and sometimes even reddish patina that they had scheduled due to chemical processes, as long as they were buried. The study of early Chinese bronze art is a specialized field of art history.

Ritualaxt ( Shang)

Ding- vessel ( Zhou )

Can ( Zhou )

Early Chinese music

→ Main article: Chinese Music

The origins of Chinese music and poetry are likely to in the Book of Songs ( Shijing诗经) lie. The 1000-600 BC written work contains folk songs, religious songs and national anthems consecration, but also courtly love, war, fasting and lamentations of all kinds In particular, the love songs are characterized by their freshness and innocence of their language.

The Early Chinese music was based primarily on percussion instruments such as the bronze bell that was brought from the outside with a Rammstößel the blades; often entire rows of bells were hung in wooden racks. Inside of bells scratch and grinding marks were found, which are probably due to the " voices" of the bell. In the period of Warring States, the percussion gradually by string and wind instruments ( reed pipes ) were replaced.

Significantly, the second character of the word Music (音乐; Yinyue ) written just like joy (快乐; Kuaile ). Confucius (孔子; Kǒng Zǐ; 551-479 BC) and his disciples conferred the music great importance, since they had in their view, the power to the people to vote peaceful and balanced, but also vice versa discouraged and quarrelsome. After Xúnzǐ (荀子; 298-220 BC), the music was as important as the lǐ (礼, " custom" ), a central concept of Confucianism. Mòzǐ (墨子; late 5th century BC ), an opponent of Confucianism, however, regarded music as a purely aesthetic category and thus a useless waste of time.

Early poetry

The famous Book of Songs (诗经; Shijing ) later joined the collection of songs from Chu (楚辞; Chǔcí ), consisting mainly of the semi-legendary Qu Yuan (屈原; 340-278 BC) and his successor, Song Yu (宋玉, 4th century BC) ascribed works there. The songs of this collection are held in a more lyrical and more romantic tone and are therefore countered by the Shijing for another tradition for another tradition classical Chinese poetry.

Chu and the culture of the South

A rich source of early Chinese art was located in the Yangtze River valley state of Chu. Excavations in Chu Tombs painted wooden sculptures have brought to light further Jadescheiben, glass beads, musical instruments as well as a rich collection of lacquerware. Often the lacquer objects are finely painted either red on black or vice versa. In Changsha ( Hunan Province ), the oldest silk painting in the world was found; it shows a woman in the company of a phoenix and a dragon, two very commonly represented in Chinese art mythical creatures.

A selection of Chu poetry has also survived in the form of the aforementioned Chǔcí. Often the texts associated with shamanism. The descriptions of fantastic landscapes represent China's first nature poetry Represents the longest poem, " In the grip of worry " ( Lisao ), was probably written by the tragic figure of Qu Yuan as a political allegory.

Painting on silk ( Zhou, 6th century BC)

Silk ( Zhou, 4th Century BC)

Ceramic pot ( Zhou, 4th / 3rd century BC)

Lacquer coffin ( state of Chu, 4th century BC)

Qin Dynasty ( 221-207 BC)

Despite its brevity, the largely identical with the reign of the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang Qin Dynasty has a firm place in Chinese art history.

The reason for this is the well known and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Terracotta Army in Xi'an in the vicinity of Mausoleum of the Emperor. It consists of more than 7,000 life-size warriors and horses in terracotta figures that were buried together with the Shi Huang. The Originalkolorierung the painted figures was still visible in their excavation, but is now faded due to the air so that the figures appear in the pure terracotta clay. The figures were presented in a variety of poses, standing infantrymen are represented as kneeling archers or charioteer, but also generals are present. The faces and hairstyles have been individually decorated. Broken pieces are reassembled by hand, which means a great deal of time with respect to the mass of shards. Furthermore, currently barely excavated soldiers to prevent the loss of color as yet no satisfactory solution has been found. When meeting with oxygen, the color that has lasted for several centuries under the earth fades.

In the Qin period and the founding of the Imperial Music Office carried out (see also Yuefu ).

Imperial Travel Cart

The Terracotta Army

Head of an officer

Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD)

Fine Arts

The still preserved works of art from the Han period have largely been discovered in the exposed in the course of the 20th century graves. Featured finds there were thought primarily as grave goods artifacts made ​​of clay and ceramics. Have become famous in particular about the most multi-storey miniature house along with balconies and crafted in a similar style ships and sidecars. Also been encountered in the tombs on sculptures, silk pictures, artfully crafted bronze mirrors and incense smoke burner.

But also attracted great interest depending on the geographic location of the tomb vastly different wall coverings up. While satisfied about in Manchuria with mass and therefore relatively cheap manufactured stamped mud bricks, stone reliefs of the tombs of Shanxi merchant had challenging ornamental and animal representations. But even they are not enough on the 1947 discovered in Sichuan Brick with their detailed and artistically sophisticated sceneries zoom.