Chinese Painting Styles example essay topic

364 words
Chinese art is known as one of the worlds oldest found art forms, with pieces dating back to 1500 BC. There are many different mediums used in Chinese art, such as sculpture, painting, and architecture. Sculptures were often mad of jade, ivory, or glass. Sculpture flourished during the time of the Ming (1368-1644) dynasty. Although Chinese painting styles became very popular in the Tang (618-906) and Sung (960-1279) dynasties, the human form was often disregarded.

Following Taoist and Confucian ideas, people were left out so as not to intrude on the orderly magnitude of nature. Throughout the later Ming (1368-1644) dynasty, the human figure and still life became more accepted and of greater importance. Peach Vase Qing Dynasty, Qian long period (1736-1795). This vase is a beautiful example of the Chinese use of ceramics with lacquers and enamels.

This vase rivaled Western artists achievements in oil paints with highly advanced opaque enamel colors. Made in the 18th century, this vase is symbolic of peace and longevity, as it shows the peach in all stages of life at the same time. This vase sits 50.3 cm high. Deer Ewer Tang dynasty (618-907) Changsha ceramics, such as this ewer were the first to have paintings painted on them under the glaze, so as to prolong the painting and colors. The most widely used designs were flowers and birds. Anything that added to the attractiveness of the piece was considered.

Even so, man-made items such as buildings or bridges were never seen. Very rarely a piece will be found depicting the human figure in the form of women and children, but never men. Jade Dragon and Phoenix 3rd Century BC, period 480-221 BC. The pendant is dated back to 300 BC.

The pendant wa most likely used as ornamentation for the upper class. The style used to carve this piece represents flowing elegance, shown in its wonderfully sloping curves. Jade, being and extremely hard stone, was never carved. In this case it had been ground and drilled into shape, and polished to a sparkling finish.

Bibliography

Indianapolis Museum of Art, web Copyright 2000, Indianapolis Museum of Art Encyclopedia.
Com, web Copyright 2000, Encyclopedia.