Chinese+Korean Art after 1279: Imagery [CHRONOLOGICAL] Flashcards
(9 cards)
Where does Sheep and Goat originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Chinese Art after 1300?
*Zhao Mengfu, Sheep and Goat, c.1300, Yuan Dynasty
- Characteristic of a Yuan handscroll→ playfully drew animals from life: manage to capture the essential spirit→ essential aim of Chinese painting tradition. Capture outer appearance of the spirit and inner essence: convey that energy, life force, sense of spirit, intangible quality.
- Goat= naturalistic, sheep= abstract= responds to the social and political atmosphere at the time. Ambiguous meaning, can be interpreted depending how you view it.
Where does the Forbidden City originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Chinese Art after 1300?
*Forbidden City, 15th Century and Late. Ming and Qing dynasties.
- Imperial compound: Move to Beijing (returning to the city)= emphasizes the strategic importance of the city and underscored the legitimacy of Ming rule. Building complexes establish their presence while also reflecting ancient Chinese practices.
- Linearity, symmetry, organization → order and control. Ideal cosmic order emphasizes in Confuscian ideology→ emphasized the organization of society and proper relationships and rituals. Support courtly hierarchies
Seperated public/domestic spheres: Outer and inner court. Throne= center ( seen as the “center of the world’). Positioning underscores the emperor as the Son of Heaven who ensures harmony and order. Throne= Dragon motifs reference the emperor’s presence and power/ guard against danger.
- Inner court= Domestic realms dedicated to the imperial family and their private life. Important palaces aligned with the central axis. Broken shape suggest the loosen control of Chinese patriarchal authority
Where does The Qingbian Mountains originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Chinese Art after 1300?
*Don Qichang, The Qingbian Mountains, c.1617. Ming Dynasty.
- References of early masters, with abstracted forms and calculated visual tension from Song and Southern Tang dynasty.
- Space= flatter, more ambiguous: calligraphic sense, more expressive/ potential. Repetition of forces that build on one another. Connection between foreground and background→ compression/ flattening of space
Duality= Rendering both landscapes and interpretation of landscapes painting tradition→ push and pull between representation and abstraction.
Where does Abduction of Helenoriginate? What does the piece provide to the context of Chinese Art after 1300?
*Abduction of Helen, 17th Century. Ming Dynasty (Made in China for the Portuguese Market)
Early Modern Global Connections: European taste/consumption, reliance on European culture on the global trade market, partnerships, and traditions. Painting learned through Jesuit schools= conglomeration of art styles . Additionally, Trojan War; Helen was often made for young brides, comparing their beauty to that of Helen.
Waves: derived from Chinese paintings and ceramics (Ming era). Armor: suggestion of dragon scales and dragon faces→ dragon= icon of Chinese culture and imagery. Borders= common Chinese motifs of leeches and phoenixes
European decorative objects: tritons, griffins, flowers, vine scrolls, coats of arms. Chinese made tapestries for European consumers (cultural exchange)–> Classical Greek and Ancient Roman representation.
Where does Portrait of Sin Shukju originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Korean Art after 1300?
*Portrait of Sin Shukju. 2nd Half of the 15th Century. Joseon Dynasty.
- Joseon rulers shared Confucianism values that stood in the center of Chinese culture and the style of ancestor portraits popularized in China→ stylistically: concealed hands, large billowing sleeves= part of courtly etiquette → insignia on outfit= indicated the status of the official from the emperor, communicated systematically through hierarchy.
- Exemplified the tension between specificity and convention: outfit is not as sensitively rendered as the face= presents the individual with dignity and wisdom.
Where does Buncheong with Flowers, Clouds, and a Bird carrying a Fish originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Korean Art after 1300?
*Buncheong with Flowers, Clouds, and a Bird carrying a Fish, 16th Century. Joseon dynasty.
- Appreciated for its austerity and also linked to Confucian values of restraint, moderation, and integrity. Produced for the general populace than the courtly/scholarly elite= allowed for experimentation w/deco including nature scenes.
Where does Books and Scholar Accouterments originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Korean Art after 1300?
*Yi Taek-gyun, Books and Scholar Accouterments, Late 1800’s. Joseon Dynasty.
VOCAB: Chaekgeori
- Usage of Chaekgori= Still life where painted folding screens depicted books, decorative art objects identified as foreign goods. Royal courtly context, reflected the ambitions of artisans and bureaucrats that serve the court. Artworks patronized by wealthy and powerful merchants.
- Shelves and cubbies look rather real rather than painted. Linear perspective, intricately detailed→ combined European illusionism with traditional Chinese subject, symbols, and compositional subjects. Books carried association with power and social distinction. Portrayed with objects and symbols found/ to indicate elite homes.
Where does Universe 5-IV #200 originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Chinese and Korean Art after 1300?
*Whanki Kim, Universe 5-IV #200, c.1971. Modern 20th Century.
- Abstraction: Western conventions drawn from Western artistic tradition. Links East Asian tradition of monochrome painting: invites transcendent experiences that recalls Doaist ideals about nature and Buddhist ideals about cosmic order.
- Multiplicity of potential connections speaks to the increasing interconnectedness of art and artist in the modern era.
Where does Pine Spirit originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Chinese and Korean Art after 1300?
*Wu Guanzhong, Pine Spirit, c. 1984. Modern/20th Century.
- Civil unrest and political upheavals: Chinese and Korean artists engaged with their respective cultures/legacies and contemporary political circumstances: direct and indirect contact with western movements.
- Combines aspects of abstract expressionism and landscape Chinese painting traditions→ carries on landscape painting.
